Emperor Akihito's Abdication Easier Said Than Done

... duties. Akihito reportedly believes that only a person who can satisfactorily fulfill the emperor's constitutional responsibilities should occupy the throne, which sheds extra light on his desire to pass the mantle to the much younger crown prince. AP Emperor Akihito and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe touch a kyujyo racket and ball for dakyu, May 2015 Some media report that Akihito first considered abdication as early as a few years ago. The conservative Sankei Shimbun believes he may have shared his thoughts with immediate family during ...