The ruling and opposition parties on Friday adopted the Diet's proposal over Emperor Akihito's possible abdication, calling for the government to enact a special law applying only to him.
The lawmakers' consensus on the issue will pave the way for the 83-year-old Emperor to relinquish the throne to Crown Prince Naruhito, in what would be the first succession of a living emperor in about 200 years.
The chiefs and deputy chiefs of both Diet chambers gave the proposal to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later in the day.