Emperor Akihito's Abdication Easier Said Than Done

... elderly monarch's life easier, such as reducing the burden of official duties he is required to fulfill or devising an elaborate system of regency. When thinking about this problem, it is also important to bear in mind that ever since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power in 2012, Japanese society has been abuzz with talk of constitutional reform. Many believe that the prime minister has launched an assault against the constitution, which remains a symbol of Japanese democracy and peaceful foreign policy. When the ruling Liberal Democratic Party jammed a package of national ...