Akihito and Michiko left the Fukiage Sento Palace in the Imperial Palace around 10 a.m. by car. Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko and Crown Prince Fumihito and their family saw them off.

She then issued imperial edicts "from behind the curtains" that she and Dowager Empress Cian would rule China jointly until her son, Tongzhi, was of age. She began overhauling the country's ...