<span style="color: #222222;">In Japan, a ceremony was held in Tokyo to celebrate 30 years of Emperor Akihito's reign, with the attendance of the Imperial couple. Emperor Akihito is schedule to abdicate on April 30. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the Speaker and President of both chambers of the Diet and foreign ambassadors to Japan also attended the event on Sunday. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">In his congratulatory speech, Abe said the Emperor has served as the symbol of the state and the unity of the people during the past 30 years.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Emperor said, he has been fortunate to undertake his  duties with the help of people.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Crown Prince Naruhito's accession is set on May 1.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Emperor Akihito in a rare televised address in August 2016 expressed his desire to relinquish his duties as the emperor.</span><br />''  <br />