Japanese Emperor Akihito has started a day of ceremonies in the Imperial Palace as he prepares to step down from the throne on Tuesday.
It'll make him the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years.
His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne the next day.
Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in 2016 due to his age and declining health.

Turkey to host Gaza meeting amid ceasefire concerns
Tanzania opposition says hundreds killed in vote protests
Turkey sentences 11 people to life in prison over ski resort hotel fire
China sends its youngest astronaut to 'Heavenly Palace' space station
Israel launches more strikes on Gaza overnight, testing fragile truce