The ruling Liberal Democratic Party has decided to support the creation of a legal mechanism to allow only Emperor Akihito to abdicate, rather than legislation that would enable him and all future monarchs to relinquish the throne.
The decision, reached Monday during the LDP's fourth meeting on the matter, contradicts the view of the main opposition Democratic Party, which is seeking establishment of a permanent legal mechanism for abdication.
The LDP, its junior coalition partner, Komeito, and the Democratic Party will soon begin deliberations on the abdication of the 83-year-old Emperor Akihito, following his video message in August that signaled his desire to step down due to his advanced age.