Japanese govt panel leans to one-off law for emperor's abdication

A Japanese government panel suggested on Monday that a one-off law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate was the preferable way to let the octogenarian monarch step down, rather than revising the Imperial House Law to also let future emperors retire. An interim report by the panel weighs the pros and cons for the two options though did not clarify its own stance. It listed 23 potential problems for institutionalising abdication, while mentioning 10 supporting views. Regarding special legislation that would be applied only to Akihito, who hinted in August that he wanted to abdicate, favourable opinions outnumbered unfavourable ones by four to three. The 83year-old emperor, who has had heart surgery and prostate cancer treatment, said in rare public remarks last year he feared age might make it hard for him to fulfil his duties. Under current law, abdication is not possible. The last time a Japanese emperor abdicated was in 1817.