Japan allows Emperor Akihito to abdicate

Tokyo, May 19 

The Japanese government today approved a one-off Bill allowing ageing Emperor Akihito to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne, in the first such abdication in two centuries.

The Bill is likely to receive swift final approval in Parliament, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet signed off on the legislation. Abdication must take place within three years of the Bill becoming law.

Earlier this year reports suggested that 83-year-old Akihito could step down at the end of December 2018 and be replaced by Crown Prince Naruhito on January 1, 2019. Reports of his desire to retire surprised Japan when they emerged last July. In August he publicly cited age and declining health, which was interpreted as his wish to hand the crown to his eldest son.

But current Japanese law has no provision for abdication, thus requiring politicians to craft legislation to make it possible.

The status of the emperor is highly sensitive in Japan given its 20th century history of war waged in the name of Akihito’s father Hirohito, who died in 1989.

Revered as a demigod before and during the conflict, Hirohito was reduced to a mere figurehead as part of postwar reforms.

Akihito has won plaudits for seizing upon the constitutionally-prescribed role of national symbol and there is wide sympathy for his wish to retire. While abdications are far from unknown in Japanese history—the last one was in 1817 — some people still believe being emperor is a lifetime job. — AFP

Dwindling male heirs

• Only men are allowed to become emperor under current law, though Japan has been ruled by empresses in past centuries
• When Naruhito, who has a daughter but no sons, ascends the throne, his younger brother Akishino will be next in line, followed by Hisahito, Akishino’s 10-year-old son
• But after that there are no more eligible males, meaning the centuries-old succession would be broken if Hisahito fails to have a son in the future