Cabinet OKs bill to allow 1st abdication of emperor in 200 years

MarkX that was the key takeaway for me too.

Nobody is mentioning that we are losing the December 23rd holiday, and it's being shifted to Feb. 23. That sucks. It was always nice to have that day just before Christmas. I think for a lot of schools it marked the end of the classes before the winter vacation started. Hopefully they will keep the holiday and rename it.

Jimizo

Do you really think that, I am sad to hear it :/

How dare you think that the Emperor is not agree with the foreigner's policy :o

Yes he is !

Because far right politics come from monarchy !

Glory and Honor to the Emperor of Japan !!!

his has a child like smile in the picture, happy for him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he dies just before his abdication... as that would sort of make things less complicated. And if that happens, then the Right wingers really have control here, and it's time to move out.

I hope I will come to Japan before December 2018 to go to those both ritual ceremonial (if it's open to public), it must be a wonderful ceremonies that can only be lived every centuries, once in a lifetime.

Oh, give us a break. Just have a piss-up with slurred speeches and give a gold watch .

As I said, he seems like a nice fella and would probably be embarrassed by the kind of silliness you're waffling about.

The government envisions December 2018, when the emperor turns 85 years old, as a possible timing for his abdication, and that the nation's gengo era name, which remains in use for the length of an emperor's reign, will likely change at the start of 2019, sources close to the matter have said.

A series of ritual ceremonies will be held over a period of a year for the accession of the new emperor. The government is also planning to hold an abdication ceremony for the first time in around two centuries by studying ceremonial practices in the past.

I hope I will come to Japan before December 2018 to go to those both ritual ceremonial (if it's open to public), it must be a wonderful ceremonies that can only be lived every centuries, once in a lifetime.

met him only twice. I hate monarchs. Bt he is one man (and his wife) who i have some respect for. my suspicion is that he is being pushed out for being too peaceful, at a time Japan is militarising and leaning right.

200 years ago is pretty recently. What's all the fuss about?

It appears there's quite a few monarchists lurking, don't be shy.

The archaic system of monarchies is long overdue to be abolished.

Oh yes; no disagreement with you on that. But tradition and it's adherents can be a tough thing to shake.

There's one of the Scandi countries (forgive me, forget which) that has a good alternative; the royals hold "proper" jobs and the pomp and ceremony is very low key. I think that's more likely for other countries that have popular monarchies, rather than outright abolishment.

I'm no apologist for monarchies but I'm glad he'll be able to put his feet up. Seems a decent enough fella.

The archaic system of monarchies is long overdue to be abolished.

allowing princesses to stay in the imperial family after marriage could eventually pave the way for women to inherit the throne.

Since the first person to rule over Japan was Princess Himiko, I don't quite understand why they have decided women can no longer rule ? Especially since Dear Leader has been saying so much about women getting "more important roles" in society...

As for the Emperor's abdication - I would have thought he should be the first to decide whether or not he can allow himself to "retire".

I like to think I have a reasonable amount of knowledge regarding Japanese culture but I know little of the monarchy and how it's thought of in Japan. Probably due to my aforementioned lack of appreciation for royalty, I guess. Is the monarchy a big thing in Japan? Like, really big?

Better headline:

"85 Year Old Man Get's Chance To Have Freedom"

Got to love how the government can push through laws like the gambling laws as fast as they want (they get rich) but laws that don't make the politicians richer take ages.

Like Toasted, I'm not big on monarchies, but he certainly seems to have done enough to earn a bit of peace. And if his son's got his wits about him, he'll push vigorously for the right to abdicate when he sees fit, as a condition for taking over.

Good luck to him. Am no fan of any monarchy but time to give the guy a break and loosen up all the archaic rules.

The bill was specifically designed for the current emperor, so as to prevent others easily following suit. Securing stable succession amid a declining number of imperial family members, highlighted by recent news of Princess Mako's impending engagement to a commoner, remains a challenge.

I personally would like to see the new Emperor make the same request when he becomes of an appropriate age or if necessary. These politicians only have their own interests and heart it seems and care little for the man that supposedly is the figure head and leader of the country.

I wouldn't treat my own family in this manner.

Currently, only posthumous succession is allowed as the Imperial House Law, which stipulates imperial matters, lacks a provision regarding an abdication by a reigning emperor.

Just keep on repeating the same thing over and over, just because something wasn't there does not mean it can not occur. There really was no need to create a special "law" for this, they could have made it a hell of a lot easier.

I just hope the Emperor is genki and enjoys his retirement in peace!

Well its about time!

Considering that The Emperor made his intentions clear less than a year ago, this has passed relatively smoothly and quickly and with out too much compromise. I wish the Empreror and the Empress all the best in their retirement!