日本明仁天皇4月30日宣告退位，结束日本自1989年1月8日开始的“平成”时代。
Japanese emperor Akihito is set to step down from the throne on Tuesday, which will make him the first monarch to abdicate in more than 200 years.
日本明仁天皇将于4月30日退位，成为200多年来首位生前退位的天皇。
- Abdicate，读作[ˈæbdɪˌket]，在这里就是step down from the throne（退位）的意思，还可以用relinquish the throne表示。此外，这个词也可以表示“放弃（职责）、失职”，比如：Many parents simply abdicate all responsibility for their children.（许多父母对孩子简直是完全撒手不管。）需要注意的是，在表示“退位”的时候，简单一个abdicate就可以了，而如果表示“放弃职责、失职”，则需要用abdicate responsibility for something/somebody表示。
His son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, will be inaugurated as the 126th emperor the next day, ushering in the Reiwa era.
5月1日，59岁的皇太子德仁将继位，成为日本第126位天皇，日本进入“令和”时代。
- 这里需要注意的是，“某人就任、就职”用的是someone is inaugurated (as)这样的句式表达，因为inaugurate本身的意思就是“使…正式就任”。The inauguration of the president或者presidential inauguration自然就是“总统就职典礼”。如果看到something is inaugurated则表示“（某个项目）举行落成典礼/成立庆典”。
明仁天皇为何退位？
最近几年，明仁天皇经历了心脏手术和前列腺癌，他在2016年的电视讲话中表示，担心自己的健康状况无法继续履行职责。
Japan’s Emperor Akihito, accompanied by Empress Michiko, waves to well-wishers before leaving Ujiyamada Station after their visit to Ise Jingu shrine in Ise in the central Japanese prefecture of Mie, April 18, 2019, as he takes part in a series of rituals ahead of his abdication. [Photo/Agencies]
“When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State,” the Emperor said in 2016.
他表示：“我意识到我的健康状况每况愈下，我担心自己无法继续履行作为国家象征的职责。”
2017年6月，日本通过特别法，允许天皇退位。
退位仪式有什么流程？
The abdication ceremony will take place in the afternoon with attendees including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, as well as the heads of both houses of parliament and Supreme Court justices. Over 330 attendants will also be present.
退位仪式将在4月30日下午举行，日本首相安倍晋三、皇后美智子、皇太子德仁、皇太子妃雅子、两院的议员以及最高法院的法官等都将出席退位仪式。将有330多人出席退位仪式。
Imperial chamberlains will carry state and privy seals into the room along with two of Japan’s “Three Sacred Treasures” – a sword and a jewel – which together with a mirror are symbols of the throne.
皇室侍从将会奉上国印、御玺以及象征日本皇室的“三件神器”中的两件：“天业云剑”和“八尺琼勾玉”，另外一件是“八咫镜”。
Abe will announce the abdication and Akihito will make his final remarks as emperor.
安倍晋三将主持退位仪式，明仁天皇将发表最后一次讲话。
On Wednesday morning, Crown Prince Naruhito will inherit the Imperial Treasures in his first ritual as emperor.
5月1日清晨，皇太子德仁将在就位典礼上继承皇室神器。
- 年号 era name
- 退位 abdicate/step down from the throne/relinquish the throne
- 退位仪式 abdication ceremony
- 继位 ascend the throne
- 皇室家族 imperial family