Emperor Akihito canceled his attendance at rituals and other events scheduled for Wednesday after developing a cough the previous night, the Imperial Household Agency said.The agency said the move was a precautionary measure. The rituals are unrelated to a series of ceremonies being held before the 85-year-old emperor becomes the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in about 200 years.The emperor has been taking part in a series of ceremonies ahead of the enthronement of his elder son Crown Prince Naruhito on May 1 when the new imperial era Reiwa, announced by the government Monday, begins.He…READ FULL ARTICLE
