Letting kin back into Imperial fold should be option to preserve male succession: Abe
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that giving Imperial family status to those in collateral branches of the family should be considered to sustain male-dominated succession in the face of the dwindling size of the world's longest hereditary monarchy. Imperial succession is an "extremely important ...
Abe urges leaders of both Diet houses to deepen discussions on Emperor's abdication
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe asks the leaders of both houses of the Diet to deepen discussions centering on Emperor Akihito’s possible abdication.
Abdication panel issues interim report noting problems with permanent revision to Imperial House Law
The paper details the pros and cons of allowing an emperor to abdicate, focusing on a possible permanent revision to the law.
The government is considering giving Emperor Akihito the title of "joko," an abbreviation of "daijo tenno," meaning retired sovereign, should he abdicate.
Historians lead charge as abdication talk raises slew of Imperial issues
A panel of experts is expected to indicate a preference for a special law allowing Emperor Akihito to retire, but many questions are still to be answered.
One-off legislation may be the easiest way to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate, but it would leave the issue unresolved for future emperors.
Emperor's abdication highlights the inconvenience behind the country's Imperial naming system
For two weeks the media has been buzzing about the news that Emperor Akihito will abdicate before 2019. Initially, it was reported that he'd step down on Dec. 31, 2018, and his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, would become the new Emperor the next day. Every ...
Confidant says Emperor told him he wants abdication option codified for future monarchs
Mototsugu Akashi, an 83-year-old retiree in Tokyo, received a call at around 10 p.m. on July 21 at home from the most unexpected, unlikely caller: Emperor Akihito. Akashi was surprised even though he has been a friend of the Emperor's since childhood. Akashi couldn't remember ...
Abdication panel to lobby for one-off legislation for Emperor Akihito
A report due out Monday will stress the difficulty of making abdication a permanent provision in Imperial succession, according to the government source.
Abdication of Emperor on birthday in 2018 and same-day succession under discussion, says source
The government has started to discuss a plan to arrange for Emperor Akihito to abdicate on Dec. 23, 2018, which is his 85th birthday, and for Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne on that day or the following day, a government source said ...
Crown Prince Naruhito ascending throne on Jan. 1 'difficult' due to annual rites: Imperial official
A senior Imperial Household Agency official speaks out on a reported plan on abdication.
Members of both Diet chambers will soon begin discussions on possible legislation enabling Emperor Akihito to abdicate despite a range of differing opinions across the party spectrum, according to the speaker of the Lower House. Representatives of the parties will meet Thursday to exchange opinions ...
