Who should decide when Emperor Akihito abdicates?

Who decides when you want to quit your job? You. Duh.

Yes the Emperor, but there obviously needs to be a process in place and the final say so in the emperor's own hands not at the diktat of a pen pusher or politician.

I think it's a disgrace the givernment and IHA are deliberately prolonging the process, they obviously don't want the abdication and are hoping he'll pop off before it can happen. The Emperor and Empress and both old and in poor health - leave them alone.

His Highness deserves to have a say in his own retirement & as this is a first for Japan I say Celebrate his life while He's Still Here , all over Japan !

He solely has knowledge of to what extent He can be at task without failing His health and the country.

He said that he wanted to quit a couple of years ago now. The procrastinators around him are busy deciding when he is not going to abdicate.

There is always the obvious way out with no return, and the way these time wasters are going that will be hthe only option that will be taken.