TOKYO: Japan could pass a one-off bill allowing its retirement-ready emperor to step down, a government panel said on Monday, in what would be the first abdication in over two centuries. The option was one of several presented by the group of experts charged with sorting out the thorny issue. The news sent shockwaves across Japan and unleashed a flood of questions. Japan has had abdications in its long imperial history, but the last one was over 200 years ago and there is no mechanism for one under current laws. “This is a very serious issue and we need to discuss it carefully,” said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who attended the panel’s meeting.

Source: Manila Times January 24, 2017 16:00 UTC