FILE PHOTO: Japan's Princess Mako (L) and Princess Kako, daughters of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko appear before well-wishers as they celebrate Emperor Akihito's 83rd birthday at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, December 23, 2016. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Princess Mako, the eldest granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, will wed a former college classmate, Japanese media reported, heating up debate on the ever-shrinking royal family since she must become a commoner after marriage.
Japan's cabinet is expected to approve a bill on Friday to allow Akihito, 83, to step down, the first abdication by a Japanese emperor in nearly two centuries, after he said last August he feared age would make it hard to fulfil his duties.
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