Tears as Japan emperor gives last New Year's address

Japan's Emperor Akihito delivered his final New Year's address Wednesday before his abdication later this year, telling tens of thousands of well-wishers he was praying for peace.

The Imperial Palace said more then 72,000 people flocked to the royal residence on Wednesday morning alone, with many more still arriving for a final chance to see the 85-year-old royal deliver his traditional new year's greeting.

The emperor will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign.

"I'm sincerely glad to celebrate the new year together with you under the clear sky," he told thousands of people, many waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai" or "long live."