Japanese Government Approves Bill To Allow Emperor’s Abdication

The Japanese Cabinet on Friday approved a bill that will allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate the throne. It will now be submitted to a full sitting of Parliament for final approval, which is is likely to receive as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has a majority.

Emperor Akihito made his desire to abdicate public last August. Once the bill – which is specifically written to allow only the current Emperor to abdicate – is approved, the Government will have three years to enact an abdication. It is expected the abdication would take place in December 2018.

The Emperor’s abdication will be the first in Japan in 200 years.

Filed under Japan
Tagged Abdication, Emperor Akihito of Japan, Legal Matters, Succession.