This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36784045
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate' | Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate' |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Japan's Emperor Akihito has expressed his desire to abdicate in the next few years, public broadcaster NHK reports. | Japan's Emperor Akihito has expressed his desire to abdicate in the next few years, public broadcaster NHK reports. |
| The 82-year-old, who has had health problems in recent years, reportedly does not wish to remain emperor if he has to reduce his official duties. | The 82-year-old, who has had health problems in recent years, reportedly does not wish to remain emperor if he has to reduce his official duties. |
| But a palace spokesman denied that there is any official plan for the monarch to abdicate in what would be an unprecedented move in modern Japan. | But a palace spokesman denied that there is any official plan for the monarch to abdicate in what would be an unprecedented move in modern Japan. |
| Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, is next in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. | Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, is next in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. |
| An unnamed government source told Japan's Kyodo news agency that the emperor, who plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese, has been contemplating the move for about a year. | An unnamed government source told Japan's Kyodo news agency that the emperor, who plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese, has been contemplating the move for about a year. |
| His family had accepted his decision, an unnamed palace source told NHK. | His family had accepted his decision, an unnamed palace source told NHK. |
| However, both palace and government sources say the Imperial Household Law would have to revised to allow for the abdication to take place. | However, both palace and government sources say the Imperial Household Law would have to revised to allow for the abdication to take place. |
| A change to the Imperial Household Law, which stipulates the rules of succession, would require approval by Japan's parliament. | A change to the Imperial Household Law, which stipulates the rules of succession, would require approval by Japan's parliament. |
| Despite a categorical denial of the reports by imperial palace spokesman Shinichiro Yamamoto, the emperor's reported wishes are being given prominent attention in the Japanese media. | Despite a categorical denial of the reports by imperial palace spokesman Shinichiro Yamamoto, the emperor's reported wishes are being given prominent attention in the Japanese media. |
| Emperor Akihito has been admired for distancing the monarchy from its association with the aggressive nationalism of World War Two. | |
| In 1989 he succeeded his father, Hirohito, who had had the status of a living god in Japan until he was stripped of that role by the victorious Americans who wrote the country's post-war constitution. | |
| Emperor Akihito had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and a heart bypass operation four years ago. | Emperor Akihito had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003 and a heart bypass operation four years ago. |
| In 2011, he took the highly unusual step of making a televised national address following the devastating earthquake and tsunami at Fukushima. | In 2011, he took the highly unusual step of making a televised national address following the devastating earthquake and tsunami at Fukushima. |
| Five things about Japan's emperor: | Five things about Japan's emperor: |