Japan's emperor has announced he will abdicate on April 30, 2019.

Akihito, who will be 85, said his age was a concern. It will be the first abdication of a Japanese emperor in around 200 years.

His elder son Crown Prince Naruhito will become the new emperor a day after the abdication.

The decision was made during a Friday meeting of the Imperial House Council, which included politicians, judicial officials and imperial family members.

The Cabinet is scheduled to approve the move in early December.

Akihito was 56-years-old when he ascended the throne following the death of his father, Emperor Hirohito.

The last emperor to abdicate was Kokaku in 1817.