TOKYO, Japan (Reuters) – Japan’s parliament on Friday (June 9) passed a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, clearing the way for the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries, and for the accession of his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, probably late next year.
In a vote televised live on NHK public television, the upper house of parliament passed the bill 235 to zero opposed, though a handful of lawmakers sat out the vote, after it had passed the more powerful lower house last week.
Now the government has to hammer out the details of the abdication, including timing, but media reports have said it is likely to take place at the end of 2018, which would mark three decades on the Chrysanthemum throne for Akihito.
Akihito, 83, who has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, said in rare public remarks last year he feared age might make it hard for him to continue to fulfill his duties. He was the first Japanese emperor who was never considered divine, has worked for decades at home and abroad to soothe the wounds of World War Two, and fought in his father Hirohito’s name.
He will be succeeded by his son Prince Naruhito, 57.
