Abe camp to seek lawmaker-initiated legislation to pave way for Emperor's abdication
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's administration may use bipartisan bills to enable 82-year-old Emperor Akihito to retire, rather than legislation sponsored by the government, lawmakers in the administration said. The idea is being floated among members of the administration on the premise that support for such ...
The main theme of Emperor Akihito's August message to the nation was not about abdication but succession of the postwar regime — which is synonymous with the continued existence of the Imperial family.
Panel formed to ease burden on Emperor Akihito but abdication issue looms
A six-member panel forms to help the Emperor through his twilight years, while the thorny political issue of allowing him to abdicate lurks in the background.
Abe to announce plans for panel to discuss Emperor's abdication
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will announce plans for a panel to discuss Emperor Akihito's abdication when he delivers a policy speech for the extraordinary Diet session to be convened on Sept. 26, a government source said Thursday. The government has decided to seek expert opinion ...
Abe says government likely to consult experts on issue of Emperor's abdication
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday the government is likely to seek expert views before deciding on its response to 82-year-old Emperor Akihito's speech last month in which he indicated a readiness to abdicate. Amid speculation special legislation is being envisioned to enable the move, ...
Prince Hisahito turns 10 as interest in Imperial family surges amid Emperor's abdication discussions
Prince Hisahito, third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, turned 10 on Tuesday amid heightened interest in the Imperial Household system after his 82-year-old grandfather, Emperor Akihito, indicated last month his readiness to abdicate in the future. The son of Princess Kiko and Prince Akishino, ...
Government leaning toward special one-off legislation enabling Emperor to abdicate
Special legislation to allow the abdication of only Emperor Akihito may come before discussing more complicated permanent amendments to the Imperial House Law.
A full-scale debate on the Constitution needs to begin with a discussion on the significance of Japan's wartime defeat and the postwar reforms, and involve historical and philosophical explorations on the nation's postwar path.
The Emperor's speech: lucid but appropriately indirect
Emperor Akihito's choice of words and presentation speak volumes about how the relationship between the Imperial family and the people of Japan has evolved since his father's address to the nation in 1945.
In an unprecedented prerecorded video message to the nation, Emperor Akihito expressed concern about how his advanced age is affecting the performance of his public duties.
Japan fumbles for the legal path to an 'Emprexit'
The obvious route to allowing Emperor Akihito's abdication would involve amending the Imperial Household Law, not constitutional change.
With deft political move, Japan's Emperor seeks to cement the role he created
Could the Emperor's raising of the issue of possible abdication be a move designed to stave off constitutional revision?
