Japan’s Imperial Household Law, however, does not have any provision for abdication. “Conservatives like Abe in the Diet are not keen to focus on revising the Imperial Household Law. Japanese Emperor Akihito addressed the nation on Monday, releasing a rare video message to the public in which the 82-year-old strongly suggested that he wished to abdicate but avoided using that word directly. What kind of emperor Naruhito will be isn’t entirely clear. Japan’s parliament, or Diet, would need to revise the law in order for him to abdicate and pass the Chrysanthemum Throne to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 56.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 08, 2016 06:50 UTC