The timing of Emperor Akihito's abdication became clearer Friday as government sources suggested March 31, 2019, as one potential date for the rare event.

The Diet enacted a special single-use law in June to let Emperor Akihito, 83, abdicate due to his advanced age. This paves the way for his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The abdication will be Japan's first in about 200 years, since the law only allows succession to take place when an emperor dies.