Key questions and answers about Emperor Akihito's abdication

I hope the emperor and empress don't disappear completely from public view after Wednesday. It would be nice to see them out and about, at a museum, concert or just walking in the park. I'm sure visiting royals would like to pay a courtesy call to renew old acquaintances (strictly in private, of course). It would be a shame if they became recluses in their palace.

For example, I know they are very passionate about sports for the disabled and it would be wonderful to see them attend the Paralympics next year.

I think this is a good thing for Japan. By the way, pressure was on Masako, but isn't it the father that determines the baby's gender? Uh, Japan, get with the times.

Hi all , who is head of state in between the adbication and enthronement??

The "key" question is why it took 3 years for him to get his wish! He IS the Emperor!

Hi all , who is head of state in between the adbication and enthronement??

Technically he is still Emperor until the enthronement in this case. But we all know it's Abe either way!

With Japan's Imperial House Law lacking a provision on abdication by a reigning emperor and virtually allowing only posthumous succession, the government enacted a one-time law to allow Akihito's abdication, the first in 200 years

This was so much BS and a waste of taxpayers money. Just because there was no law, did not mean he could not abdicate without all the BS that Abe attached to it!

The absence of the law would not have made it illegal, and even as much as they say "one-off" this time, the next or succeeding Emperor's could step down as well, unless the government creates a law that states otherwise, and the line here "virtually allowing only" means too that it is NOT 100% either. If an Emperor became incapacitated and under to perform his duties an abdication IS allowable, even though there is NO LAW!

The government wasted billions of yen on this! For something that could have been done in weeks! As witnessed by Spain's King Carlos!