Emperor Akihito's Abdication Easier Said Than Done

... steps as the seemingly innocuous supplication by the frail Akihito to let him retire while he still can may very well present Japan with an unprecedented constitutional dilemma. No Country for Old Men In its original report , NHK linked the emperor's ... ... 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 ...