Emperor seen first public appearance after abdication

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Japan's former emperor Akihito and empress Michilo were photographed at a tennis club Sunday, which is their first appearance publicly after his abdication, according to local media.

Akihito and Michilo spent about an hour at Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club with their friends, but did not play tennis, Japan Today reported.

The couple had frequented the club to play together prior to their marriage, the report said.

Akihito officially announced his abdication at a ceremony on last Tuesday to end his 30-year reign.

The emperor's abdication will end the current Heisei era in its 31st year. The government is expected to announce the name of the new era next year.

The emperor and Empress Michiko, who was born a commoner, helped to bring the secluded imperial family closer to the public with visits to disaster zones.

They also traveled to former World War II battlefields overseas to pay tribute to those who lost their lives during the war, which Japan fought in the name of Akihito’s father.

Akihito is supposedly the 125th emperor in a legendary lineage believed to stretch back more than 2,600 years. The last monarch who abdicated was Emperor Kokaku in 1817.