(From Left to Right)  Crown Prince Naruhito, Emperor Akihio and Empress Michiko wave to well-wishers at the Imperial Palace to celebrate the 85th birthday of Emperor Akihito of Japan. The Emperor, who is the son of Japan's wartime leader, Emperor Hirohito, gave a speech to mark his last birthday before his upcoming abdication, saying he felt relief that his reign was coming to an end without having seen his country at war again and that it was important to continue to educate young people about japan's wartime past. Imperial Palace, Tokyo, Japan. Sunday December 23rd 2018