Landmark law allowing Emperor abdication enacted
June 9, 2017
Tokyo-Japan's parliament enacted on Friday government-sponsored special legislation to allow Emperor Akihito to step down, paving the way for the first succession from a living Emperor in about 200 years in the country. At a plenary meeting of the House of Councillors, the upper chamber, the abdication bill, which applies only to the current Emperor, was approved with support from all parties except the small opposition Liberal Party, which was absent from the voting.
The government is considering setting the date of Emperor Akihito's abdication and the accession of his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, to the Chrysanthemum Throne in late December 2018 and changing the era name from the current "Heisei" on Jan. 1, 2019.
Emperor Akihito will be the first to relinquish the throne while alive since Emperor Kokaku stepped down in 1817.
Under the defunct 1889 Imperial House Law and the current law, established in 1947 to govern the status of the Emperor and other Imperial Family affairs, Imperial succession has been limited to when the incumbent passes away.
The special abdication bill was drawn up after 83-year-old Emperor Akihito, in a rare video message broadcast in August last year, suggested a wish to step down due to his advancing age.
Article 1 of the legislation says Emperor Akihito is deeply concerned that his advancing age will make it difficult for him to continue performing his duties, including visits to disaster areas and other public activities, and notes that the people of Japan understand and have sympathy with the Emperor's thoughts.
Emperor Akihito will be given the title of "joko" and Empress Michiko the title of "jokogo" after the Emperor steps down.
The legislation also calls for adding an annex clause to the Imperial House Law to state that the special legislation is consistent with the Imperial code.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga repeatedly indicated the government's position that the special legislation may offer a model for possible abdications of future Emperors, as requested by opposition parties.
The legislation stipulates that Emperor Akihito's abdication should be realized on the day of its enforcement, within three years of its promulgation.
The enforcement date will be decided on the basis of opinions that the prime minister will collect from members of the Imperial Household Council, which includes the heads of the legislative, executive and judicial powers and members of the Imperial Family.
The government plans to announce the next era name in advance to minimize the impact of the era change on people's daily lives.
The Japanese era name law stipulates that the name shall be changed only at the time of Imperial succession. (Jiji Press)
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