The First Stage of the Japanese Emperor's Abdication Implemented by the Government

On Friday, the Japanese Cabinet approved a bill allowing the country's emperor to abdicate. According to the French news agency, this bill, which consists of only one article, is likely to be quickly passed by the Japanese parliament and the emperor's abdication process will be implemented within three years after it becomes law. Earlier this year, reports emerged from some media outlets about the possibility of 83-year-old Emperor Akihito's abdication, stating that he would step down by the end of 2018, with Crown Prince Naruhito succeeding him on January 1, 2019. The whispers regarding Akihito's abdication had already surprised the Japanese people. In a public speech last August, the emperor spoke about the necessity of having sufficient physical ability to fulfill the duties of the emperor, which was interpreted as his desire to abdicate due to illness and old age, passing his position to his eldest son. However, current Japanese laws do not provide for an emperor's abdication, so politicians must devise measures to create the legal grounds for it. The emperor's position in Japan is considered very sensitive, as according to Japanese traditions, emperors are descendants of gods and are somewhat semi-divine. Although specific decisions made by Emperor Hirohito (the current emperor's father) during World War II somewhat tarnished this belief, the role was reduced to a ceremonial position during the post-war reforms. The current emperor is not in good health; he has been undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and has also had heart surgery. Most Japanese people support the enactment of a permanent law allowing an emperor to resign. They also support the new bill for Akihito's abdication from the throne. Previously, the Democratic Party of Japan, the main opposition party, had called for the law allowing emperor abdication to be enacted as a permanent law so that future emperors would also have this right, but the party later changed its stance. Some experts and politicians have warned that granting emperors the permanent right to abdicate may expose them to political conflicts and harm the monarchy. The issue of Emperor Akihito's abdication has also raised concerns about future succession. The Japanese government had previously warned about the decreasing number of male princes in the imperial family. According to Japanese laws, only one male heir can ascend to the throne, although there have been instances in Japanese history where women have ruled as empresses. Many Japanese people believe this issue can be resolved by removing legal barriers to a woman ascending the throne, but this view faces serious opposition from traditionalists in the country. It is noteworthy that with Akihito's abdication, he will be the first Japanese emperor in the past two hundred years to leave the throne.