Japan's Emperor Akihito attended a ceremony on Sunday to mark the 30th year of his reign while calling for the country to embrace openness in a more globalised world.
The government-sponsored ceremony at the National Theatre in Tokyo was attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Empress Michiko.
"Japan has long cultivated its own culture as an island nation," the 85-year-old emperor said. "But now the world is becoming more globalised. I think it is now required for us to be more open to the outside world, to establish our own position with wisdom and to build relationships with other countries with sincerity."
In a congratulatory speech at Sunday's ceremony, Abe said the people will "never forget" how the imperial couple have "always stood by the people for 30 years."