Japan's lower house passes bill allowing emperor to abdicate

(Baonghean) - Japan's House of Representatives has passed a bill allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, paving the way for the bill to be passed in the Japanese Parliament on June 9.

During a meeting on June 2, the Japanese House of Representatives passed a bill approving Emperor Akihito's abdication. With the high consensus of many political parties, this bill is likely to be passed by the National Assembly and take effect from June 9.

It is known that this bill was created based on the wishes of Emperor Akihito when he expressed his desire to abdicate due to old age and poor health. Meanwhile, currently, issues related to the Japanese Imperial Family are all under the scope of the Imperial Law, and there are only provisions on succession but no provisions on the abdication of the Emperor.

Emperor Akihito is set to become the first emperor to abdicate in two decades.

Last month, the Japanese government began drafting the bill and said it would announce the basic content of the bill as soon as possible, hoping to complete the compilation and submit it to all organizations and parties in the Diet before it is passed at the session of this legislative body. Up to now, the House of Representatives is the first place to pass this bill.

Although the bill is a one-time bill specially drafted for the 83-year-old emperor, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, who is in charge of parliamentary discussions on the bill, said it could set a precedent for future emperors to abdicate.

The bill also states that the date of the emperor's abdication will be decided within three years after the law is enacted. However, a Japanese government source said it is likely to take place in December 2018 when Emperor Akihito turns 85.

If the bill passes, it will be the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in two centuries. In the event of his abdication, Emperor Akihito and Empress Akihito will move to Togu Palace in Akasaka, Minato Ward, which is also where the family of the heir apparent, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his family currently live.

In addition to the bill allowing the Emperor to abdicate, the recent meeting of the Japanese House of Representatives also discussed many other important issues of the Royal Family such as allowing female members to live a private life and still retain their royal status even after marrying a commoner. This is considered a hot issue of the Japanese Royal Family because female members of the Royal Family such as princesses will have to leave the family after marriage and this will lead to a decrease in the number of members of the Royal Family.

Nhat Minh

(According to Mainichi)