Japan's Emperor Akihito (L), flanked by Empress Michiko, greets guests during the annual autumn garden party at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo, Japan, November 9, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai
TOKYO (Reuters) - The timing of Emperor Akihito's abdication, Japan's first in nearly two centuries, is to be discussed by a special panel that will meet from Dec. 1, the top government spokesman said on Wednesday.
Akihito, who turns 84 on Dec. 23 and has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, said in rare remarks last year that he feared age might make it hard to fulfil his duties.
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