TOKYO: Japan is moving to adopt a law allowing its octogenarian Emperor Akihito to abdicate but many touchy topics, such as his title and duties, remain to be settled before the monarch can retire in a step unprecedented for two centuries.
Japanese law does not currently allow an emperor to give up the throne, but Akihito, 83, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer treatment, said in rare public remarks last August he feared age might make it hard to fulfil his duties.
A panel of experts is expected on Monday to indicate a preference for a special law to allow Emperor Akihito to retire, most probably by the end of 2018.
Officials are looking at ancient precedents, since the last time an emperor abdicated was in 1817.
« Japan is in uncharted territory except for historians, » said Colin Jones, a professor at Doshisha University Law School.
Emperor Akihito may also look to examples of foreign monarchs of his generation, such as Dutch Queen Beatrix and Belgian King Albert II, or even Pope Benedict. All three retired in 2013.
Beatrix resumed her former title of princess and remained active, while Albert retained his title, though mostly staying out of public view. Benedict, as « pope emeritus », moved to a monastery inside the Vatican walls.
« The emperor himself was friends with Queen Beatrix and King Albert since his days as crown prince, » said Naotaka Kimizuka, an expert in European monarchies at Kanto Gakuin University. « I think he will probably consider them as reference points. «
Besides the emperor’s title, duties and residence after he retires, the government also has to fix the name and date for the commencement of the new « imperial era » that will be ushered in by his successor, under Japan’s unique calendar.
