The Diet on Monday remained divided by the abdication issue after political parties held separate hearings with the heads of both chambers, participants said.
The sessions were part of legislative leaders' efforts to iron out differences between the ruling and opposition parties, but the continued lack of consensus suggests more talks are needed before a bill can submitted.
Representatives of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said the LDP supports a one-off legal mechanism that would let the 83-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicate and make way for Crown Prince Naruhito, 56.