Japan has imposed tight security measures in the capital city Tokyo as it prepares to host foreign dignitaries for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, which will be attended by several foreign dignitaries.
The birthday celebration for Emperor Naruhito was to be the first since he took the throne last year.
“This place makes us deeply aware of the pain and horror that we human beings are capable of inflicting upon one another”, he said.
In a video message to the Japanese people before he left the Vatican, Francis railed against the "immoral" use of nuclear weapons.
On Friday, Francis will visit Chulalongkorn University where he will meet leaders of other beliefs and denominations, university rectors, academics and students.
Each emperor's reign is marked by the name of that era. Reiwa was adopted from an 8th century anthology of classic poetry and means "beautiful harmony". After Japan's defeat in World War II, the role of the emperor has changed significantly when Naruhito's grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, sat on the throne. Once considered the living embodiment of gods, the Emperor has become a largely symbolic figure. Unlike other monarchs, Naruhito is a symbol of the state rather than the Head of State, and the Japanese emperor wields no political power.
Donald Trump and his wife Melania boarded Air Force One at Tokyo's Haneda airport and were headed back to Washington, via a refuelling stop in Alaska.
Trump is scheduled to arrive in Japan on Saturday night. He will meet Prime Minister Abe informally on Sunday and also join him at a sumo wrestling match.
An era has ended in Japan in parallel with the start of a new chapter as the 1st of May unfolded... when the rest of the world was purportedly celebrating liberation.
