Japan’s emperor stops short of abdicatingTokyo – Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, said in a rare video address to the public on Monday that he worried that age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties. Akihito stopped short of saying outright that he wanted to abdicate, which could be interpreted as interfering in politics. In nationally televised remarks, Akihito also said there were limits to reducing the emperor’s duties as the “symbol of the state,” the status accorded to the monarch under Japan’s post-war constitution. Once considered divine, the emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the state and the unity of the people, and has no political power. Akihito is said to feel strongly that an emperor’s full performance of his duties is integral to his constitutional role, experts say.

Source: Manila Bulletin August 08, 2016 06:33 UTC