Japanese Emperor Akihito waves to well-wishers during his new year speech, possibly the last before a possible abdication. - AFP
Tokyo (AFP) - Japan’s lower house of parliament passed a bill Friday that allows ageing Emperor Akihito to step down, as it also called for a rare debate on the role of women in the male-dominated monarchy.
Japan has not had an imperial abdication in two centuries and there was no law to deal with 83-year-old Akihito’s surprise retirement request after nearly three decades on the Chrysanthemum Throne.
