January 11, 2017

"An interim report regarding the potential abdication of the 83-year-old Japanese Emperor Akihito will be released later this month, a government panel said on Wednesday.

The advisory panel, established last September following a video message by the emperor hinting his wish to abdicate and hand over the throne to his 56-year-old son Crown Prince Naruhito, has been examining the issue by weighing the pros and cons, hearing opinions from experts, and studying ways to alleviate burden on the emperor."

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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-01/11/c_135974089.htm