Japan’s Emperor to Abdicate | God's World News

Japan’s Emperor to Abdicate

12/04/2017
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    (AP Photo: Read all about it! Japanese newspapers tell of Akihito’s coming abdication.)

Japan's much-admired Emperor Akihito will abdicate (give up) on April 30, 2019, at age 85. It’s the first such departure from the Chrysanthemum Throne (the term for the Japanese emperor’s throne) in about 200 years. Akihito's elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will ascend the throne a day later.

Akihito expressed his wish to abdicate in August 2016, citing his age and health. Legislation allowing Akihito to abdicate within three years was enacted earlier this year. The legislation was needed because the 1947 Imperial House Law does not provide for a ruler to step down. The last emperor to abdicate was Kokaku in 1817.

On Friday, the Imperial House Council decided to allow Akihito to abdicate at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "I feel deeply moved that the decision was made smoothly . . ., marking a major step toward an imperial succession," Abe says.

The timing allows Akihito to abdicate after reaching his 30th anniversary on the throne, a milestone.

Akihito's desire to leave the throne revived a debate about the country's 2,000-year-old monarchy, one of the world's oldest. There was also discussion about improving the status of female members of the shrinking royal population. The current male-only succession rules prohibit women from succeeding to the throne.

Naruhito has no son, and only two other men—his younger brother Akishino and his son—are left as eligible successors. On Friday, Naruhito's only child, Princess Aiko, turned 16. Conservative lawmakers oppose allowing female royals to succeed the throne or head the household.

What do you think about Japan’s not allowing women to rule?

(AP Photo: Read all about it! Japanese newspapers tell of Akihito’s coming abdication.)