For the first time in 200 years, the emperor of Japan is set to abdicate from the Japanese throne. Current Japanese emperor Akihito plans to renounce his position on April 30, 2019. The last Japanese emperor to willingly abandon the Japanese throne was Emperor Kokaku in 1817 when he abdicated in favor of his heir apparent and son, Emperor Ninkō. Emperor Akihito took his place on June 12th 1961 during World War II and has been serving up to this point. Akihito’s departure comes after a television appearance in August 2016, where he passed into law a bill that would allow him to abdicate. Emperor Akihito addressed his reason for departure as, “”When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now,” His speech to the Japanese people is obviously of significance According to CNN,  “only the third time a Japanese emperor has addressed his people since 1945.” The Japanese throne is the most respected position in Japanese society, so his departure comes to the dismay to many of the Japanese population.