Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Japan's Imperial House Council set a date for when Emperor Akihito will step down and open a path for his son to succeed him.
The panel, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, announced Friday Akihito, 83, will abdicate on April 30, 2019, and his 57-year-old son Crown Prince Naruhito will succeed him on May 1.