Japan's Diet enacts law allowing emperor to abdicate

Japan's parliament passed a law Friday allowing Emperor Akihoto to become the first monarch to abdicate the throne in 200 years.


The Diet deliberated the issue after Akihito, 83, announced his intention in 2016 to leave the throne. The popular ruler acknowledged his advanced age was slowing his public duties.

The single-use law unanimously enacted by the Diet's upper house Friday applies only to the current emperor; Akihito intends to abdicate the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2018, allowing Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, to advance to the emperor's position.

The Japanese Cabinet approved an abdication procedure in May, and the Diet's lower house approved the legislation last week...
 [upi.com]
9/6/17