Crown Prince Naruhito poised to become Japan's next emperor

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stepped down on Tuesday after three decades as the nation's top royals in a brief, simple ceremony, with Akihito thanking the people of Japan and saying he prayed for peace. Naruhito, the first emperor born after World War Two and the first to be raised solely by his parents, said on his birthday in February that succeeding his father "makes me solemn". Given the backgrounds of Naruhito and his wife, Masako, a 55-year-old former diplomat - which include extended experience studying and living overseas - hopes are high that they may be more international in their outlook and closer to the lives of many Japanese.

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