The government is considering paving the way for future emperors to abdicate as its advisory panel debates drafting special legislation to let Emperor Akihito step aside, according to sources close to the matter.
The Abe administration has been opposed to creating a permanent system for abdication on the grounds that it is difficult to set conditions that would always prove suitable in the future. Such a system would require revising the Imperial House Law.
The panel is expected to release a report later this month summarizing the issues surrounding abdication and support the idea of drafting special legislation that would apply only to Emperor Akihito, who is 83.