Special law allowing the Emperor to abdicate passes lower house of Japanese parliament

Record ID: 877893

  • Title: Special law allowing the Emperor to abdicate passes lower house of Japanese parliament
  • Date: 2nd June 2017
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF IMPERIAL PALACE
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2017 06:44
  • Keywords: emperor's abdication Japan royalty Imperial Family Princess Aike abdication Lower House Speaker Tadamori Oshima Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga Emperor Akihito
  • Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • City: TOKYO, JAPAN
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Royals
  • Reuters ID: LVA0026JL46RP
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Japan's lower house of parliament approved a bill on Friday (June 2) that would allow the current emperor to abdicate, amid ongoing national debate over a shrinking royal family and the role of women in the Imperial Household.
    The bill will be sent to the Upper House where it is expected to be voted on early next week, with a last minute additional non-binding draft resolution to allow female members to remain part of the Imperial Household even after they marry. Currently they are forced to leave the Imperial family and become commoners.
    When voted in - and it is expected to be passed with little opposition - it will be the first time in nearly 200 years that a Japanese monarch will be able to give up the throne. Akihito, 83, who has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, is expected to abdicate at the end of 2018.
    Akihito, the first Japanese emperor who was never considered divine, has spent much of his reign working to heal the wounds of World War Two, waged across Asia in his father Hirohito's name, and bringing the monarchy closer to ordinary citizens. He will be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito, 57.
    Last August, Akihito gave a rare public message saying that he feared his age would prevent him from carrying out his duties, drawing sympathy from many ordinary Japanese. The bill is one-off legislation that would allow only Akihito to step down, with no provisions for future emperors.
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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