Japanese emperor's possible abdication raises issues

Tokyo

JAPAN'S 82-year-old Emperor Akihito hinted strongly on Monday in a video speech broadcast by state broadcaster NHK that he is anxious to abdicate the so-called "Chrysanthemum Throne", saying that his advanced age could render it difficult for him to perform his public duties in the future.

Such a move would have significant constitutional implications and would be without parallel in modern Japan. It would almost certainly require changes in the country's Imperial Household Law or the enactment of a special law enabling the ailing monarch to step aside in favour of his son Naruhito.

The development comes at a delicate time when Japan is already facing the prospect of possible constitutional turmoil given that a recent upper house parliamentary election gave Prime Minister …