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Japan's Emperor Akihito to make rare public address Japan's Emperor Akihito hints at wish to abdicate
(about 1 hour later)
Japan's Emperor Akihito is set to deliver his second ever televised address to the public. Japan's Emperor Akihito has said he fears age and deteriorating health mean he is finding it difficult to continue in his role.
Last month, Japanese media reported that the emperor wanted to step down in coming years, which would be unprecedented in modern Japan. The revered 82-year-old emperor's comments came in his second-ever televised address to the public.
He is not expected to use the word "abdicate" because he is barred from political involvement. While he did not use the word "abdicate", he strongly indicated that he wishes to hand over his duties.
The palace said on Friday he would be speaking about his "feelings regarding his duties as a symbol of the nation". PM Shinzo Abe said the government would "seriously" discuss the legal changes required for that to happen.
There is no legal provision for abdication in Japanese law, which would mean a law change would be required. In 10-minute pre-recorded message, Emperor Akihito said he hoped the duties of the emperor as a symbol of the state could continue steadily without any breaks.
Under the constitution the emperor is not allowed to have political powers so a wish to abdicate could be seen as him interfering in politics. "I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," he said.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to issue a statement after the emperor's speech. He said one possibility when an emperor could not fulfil his duties because of age or illness was that a regency could be established.
Five things about Japan's emperor But he added: "I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the emperor's acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the state."
Emperor Akihito's reign in pictures Akihito has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989.
A pre-recorded message from the 82-year-old emperor, who is revered in Japan, will be made public at 15:00 local time (06:00 GMT). Why can't the emperor abdicate?
Public broadcaster NHK reported the emperor, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, would ask Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife to take over many of his public duties. Abdication is not mentioned under existing laws, so they would need to be changed for the emperor to be able to stand down. The changes will also have to be approved by parliament.
The 56-year-old crown prince is first in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, followed by his younger brother Prince Akishino. Women are not allowed to inherit the throne and so Princess Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, cannot succeed her father. The emperor is constitutionally not allowed to make any political statements, and the desire to abdicate could be seen as being political.
Last month, Japanese media reported that Emperor Akihito had told close aides and his family that his age and health were making it difficult for him to perform his duties. What has the reaction been?
If he were to abdicate, it would be the first time a Japanese emperor had stood down since 1817, when Emperor Kokaku handed over to his son. The public seems to support the emperor's desire to abdicate, with the younger generation in particular saying he should be allowed to relax in his old age.
A nationwide survey by Kyodo News Agency showed that 90% of respondents believed Emperor Akihito is given too much work, with more than 85% saying that abdication should be legalised. A recent survey by the Kyodo news agency found more than 85% saying abdication should be legalised.
Historically, the emperor of Japan was seen as semi-divine. But after Japan's World War Two defeat, Emperor Akihito's father Hirohito was the first to give up his god-like status to become a "symbol of the state and of the unity of the people". Is this the first time a revision of the law has been discussed?
This is only the second time Emperor Akihito has delivered a video message to the Japanese people. The first was after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. A debate about whether or not a woman would be able to ascend the throne was discussed in 2006 when the emperor had no grandsons, but was postponed after a boy was born to a family.
Prince Akishino also called for a debate on whether a retirement age should be set for the Emperor in 2011, but it did not result in a law change.