Emperor Akihito, on the occasion of his 80th birthday on Monday, repeated his intention to do his best amid expectations that he will hand over some of his official duties to the younger generation in the year after next.

"While accepting the limits arising from age, I hope to continue to fulfill my role as best I can," the Emperor said at a customary press conference Wednesday ahead of his birthday.

Emperor Akihito, enthroned on Jan. 7, 1989, is the second to have turned 80 while on the throne, following his father Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.