The Japanese government is considering steps to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate and pass the role on to Crown Prince Naruhito in two years time, local media reported Wednesday. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government is in the process of exploring an early succession by the emperor's 56-year-old son, the Kyodo News agency reported, citing an unnamed government source. A group of experts commissioned by the government said on Wednesday they were scheduled to release an interim report on January 23. In August, the emperor signalled his apparent desire to abdicate, saying he was concerned that his advanced age might make it difficult for him to carry out his duties. But even if the emperor wanted to relinquish his role and pass it on to his son, Japan currently has no legal provision for him to retire. The government is considering submitting a bill allowing the emperor's abdication during a parliamentary session to be convened later this month. Akihito ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in January 1989 following the death of his father, Hirohito, who was regarded as a deity until he renounced the status following the country's defeat in World War II. In 2003, Akihito underwent surgery to treat prostate cancer. He later suffered stress-related issues in 2008, was hospitalized for more than two weeks with bronchitis in 2011 and had a heart bypass operation in 2012. Japan's imperial family claims the longest hereditary lineage in the world, going back more than 2,600 years.
