The biggest shake up to Japan's monarchy in 200 years is underway.
Yesterday the country's 85-year-old Emperor Akihito formally ended his three-decade reign by abdicating and his 59-year old son Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne today.
Dr Sheila Smith is an expert in Japanese politics at the Council on Foreign Relations and joins Kathryn to discuss Akihito's imperial era.
Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko ahead of his abdication. Photo: Yomiuri/AFP
