Show caption Akihito waves to well-wishers from a balcony of the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo. Photograph: Franck Robichon/EPA Japan Japanese emperor makes last new year appearance before abdication More than 90,000 people gather in Tokyo to see Emperor Akihito and family Associated Press in Tokyo Wed 2 Jan 2019 03.38 EST Share on Facebook

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Tens of thousands of people gathered in Tokyo for Emperor Akihito’s final new year appearance of his reign months before he abdicates.

“I am truly happy to celebrate the new year with all of you under such cloudless skies,” he told the crowd from a balcony at the Imperial Palace on Wednesday.

Akihito, 85, makes annual new year appearances alongside his wife, Empress Michiko, and other family members to wish peace for the nation. He was scheduled to make five appearances on Wednesday.

Japanese media reported that a record crowd of more than 90,000 people had gathered by early afternoon. Many had been waiting since early in the morning.

Akihito succeeded his father, the wartime emperor Hirohito, in 1989, and will abdicate on 30 April with his eldest son ascending to the Chrysanthemum throne.

Japan’s imperial family is far more cloistered than its western counterparts, and Hirohito was once viewed as a god. Akihito strove to become a more accessible emperor. He was the first to marry a commoner, courting Michiko on the tennis courts. Both of his sons have married commoners.

His abdication is also a rarity. Akihito announced his desire to step down in a video message, citing a worry about how well he could perform his duties as his health declined.

The crowd in Tokyo for Akihito’s new year address. Photograph: Masatoshi Okauchi/Rex/Shutterstock

Akihito appeared to wobble during a palace event this week to greet foreign dignitaries. Michiko reached out and held up his arm with hers.

Akihito’s three-decade reign is known in Japan as Heisei, the first character of which means “peace”. A name for the new era will be chosen with much fanfare later this year.

Crown Prince Naruhito appeared on the balcony with his wife, Masako. She has skipped some events over the years due to what palace officials have described as a stress-related illness.

The public is closely watching to see how the younger couple might bring openness to a role that holds no political power but is widely recognised as a cultural and emotional symbol for Japan.