Emperor Akihto will abdicate the throne on April 30, 2019. He will be the first Japanese Emperor to do this in over 200 years. The last Emperor to abdicate was Emperor Kokaku during the Edo Period in 1817. He is abdicating as he is concerned that he won't be able to do his duties as the emperor in his declining health as he ages. He is currently 83 years old.
Akihto is allowed to abdicate by his own choice after a law was passed in June of this year to give the emperor the choice to abdicate. This was a historical decision as a sitting emperor couldn't do this before. Part of this law is questioning if a female could rise to be an empress. There hasn't been an empress since Empress Cixi, and that was over 2,600 years ago.
Sources:
1) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/akihito-to-become-first-japanese-emperor-to-abdicate-in-200-years/ar-BBFZjhT?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
2) http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/08/asia/abdication-law-japan-passes/index.html
I think this is a smart move on the Emperor's part. It seems like this decision was made for the benefit of Japan and it is respectful of him to realize where to draw the line- it shows true leadership.
ReplyDeleteThese elderly fellows like to sit around awhile it seems. Perhaps it truly is difficult to let go.
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