Source: Reuters

JAPAN’S parliament on Friday passed a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, clearing the way for the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries and the accession of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, probably late next year. The popular 83-year-old monarch shocked the country in 2016 summer when he signalled his desire to take a back seat after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne, citing his age and health problems. “Abdication will take place for the first time in 200 years, reminding me once again of how important an issue this is for the foundation of our nation, its long history and its future,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, according to Reuters. Prime minister Shinzo Abe’s ultra-conservative government supports the male-only succession, which will make 57-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito next in line to the throne. But the Prince's only child is a girl, and his younger brother Prince Akishino has two adult daughters and a 10-year-old son, Hisahito. After Naruhito’s daughter was born, a government panel discussed the possibility of allowing female emperors, but the talk quickly faded as soon as Hisahito was born. Now the government has to hammer out the details of the abdication, including the timing, but media reports have said it is likely to take place at the end of 2018, which would mark three decades on the Chrysanthemum throne for Akihito. Hirohito was allowed to remain on the throne, however, he was stripped off his political powers.
The National Diet of Japan passes legislation allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate. The abdication is to take place within three years.