Emperor Akihito and his abdication

[Tatiana Maria]

To realize the abdication of the Emperor, the government has decided to submit a bill to set up a special law only to apply to the Emperor and the current Imperial house to the next ordinary Diet session to be convened this month, according to government sources.

The bill will stipulate special cases together for the related laws such as Imperial House Law, Imperial House Economy Law and Imperial Household Agency Law.

Under the bill, Prince Akishino will be treated as “crown prince” since he will be the first in the line of succession to the Imperial throne after his brother, current Crown Prince Naruhito, ascends the throne. After the abdication, the current Emperor will be named "Joko", or Dajo Emperor, meaning retired emperor, according to the sources.

[...]

In connection with the Imperial House Economy Law, the bill will stipulate spending with regard to the Joko and establish a special case to raise the spending for Prince Akishino to match the amount suitable for an Imperial house member who is the first in the line of succession to the Imperial throne.

The Emperor, Empress and the family of the Crown Prince, who are under the same household account, had a budget of ¥324 million in fiscal 2016 as an inner-court budget. The family of Prince Akishino had a budget of only ¥67.1 million in fiscal 2016 as an Imperial family allowance.

[...]

Prince Akishino to rise in rank - The Japan News

With Emperor Akihito having issued a statement last year suggesting he desires to abdicate, the restrictions imposed on Imperial Family members and its relation to the Constitution's protections of human rights and liberties is again drawing attention.

At the end of March this year, a room on the 34th floor of the Kasumigaseki Building in Tokyo became the site of an elementary school reunion for Gakushuin Primary School, with Emperor Akihito as one of those in attendance.

Around 20 attendees were moved to Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, during World War II, and studied together in junior high school and high school. While many of them live quiet lives now, the Emperor continues to attend to many duties and since becoming Emperor had been unable until now to participate in an elementary school-only reunion.

In order to have their meeting in private, even the participants' families were not allowed in the room, and the Imperial Household Agency staff and Emperor's bodyguards, who are always with him, waited outside. The Emperor moved between seats prepared at each of three tables and spoke to his old friends, after which he remarked, with a satisfied look, "It would be nice if we could keep doing things like this."

[...]

The status of the Emperor and the Imperial Family is defined by the Constitution and the Imperial House Law. The Emperor is currently forbidden from abdicating, and the Crown Prince and eldest grandson in the line of descent are forbidden from disassociating themselves from the Imperial Family. Other members of the Imperial Family can only disassociate from it through a decision made by the Imperial Household Council, which includes Imperial Family representatives, the prime minister and the top justice of the Supreme Court. Male members of the Imperial Family are also required to receive a council decision before marrying.

[...]

Due to duty and security-related concerns, the Emperor and the Crown Prince are required to live on Imperial property like the Imperial Palace and the Akasaka Estate. While members of the Imperial Family are allowed to take up occupations that don't conflict with their status, the higher they are in the line of succession the more public duties they have, and as they are not allowed to refuse to succeed to the position of Emperor, they are, effectively, limited in what jobs they can do.

[...]

In 1982, another member of the Imperial Family, Prince Tomohito of Mikasa made news when he told the Imperial Household Agency he wanted to remove himself from the Imperial Family and focus on working to help the physically disabled. He withdrew his request after being talked out of it, but the issue became the subject of much discussion, including at the Diet.

So far, the national government's stance put forward in debate at the Diet has been that while the Emperor has basic human rights, due to the special case of it being a hereditary position and the Emperor's position as a symbol for the people, a minimal level of restrictions on him are allowed under the Constitution. However, Itsuo Sonobe, a former Supreme Court justice who is knowledgeable about the Imperial Family system, says, "With our society growing older, as long as we recognize a human being as a symbol of state, we should not look at His Majesty's wishes from a constitutional viewpoint, but from a humanitarian one."

He adds, "If the Imperial Family alone stands stuck in time while society changes, there will be people in the future who want to leave behind their Imperial Family position and people who will hesitate to enter into the Imperial Family to positions like that of the empress, which will affect the stable imperial succession."

[...]

Emperor's desire to abdicate puts spotlight on Imperial Family restrictions - The Mainichi

I wonder if the government will add another special bill to give Prince Akishino the Crown Prince title since the current house laws only has titles for the eldest son and grandson of the reigning Emperor.

Thank you for the updates, Prisma.

The first article says, "If the Crown Prince is enthroned, the official duties of Prince Akishino are expected to increase to the amount the Crown Prince is provided." Does the current Crown Prince perform many more official duties than Prince Akishino or Prince Hitachi?

Some have suggested that the imperial family will be compelled to reduce its official duties if Akihito retires.

Video message heralds new Imperial era
8:51 pm, August 09, 2016

The Yomiuri Shimbun

[...]

In 2005, the crown prince named four areas of interest: environmental issues; issues related to children and elderly people; international exchange; and new developments in industry and technology. In 2013, he delivered a speech on water and natural disasters at the U.N. headquarters — the first time a member of the Imperial family has spoken there.

He has been seeking the ideal role for the Imperial family in areas different from the current Emperor, who has supported new activities in sports for people with disabilities and visited disaster-stricken areas.

[...]

Since Prince Hitachi and Prince Mikasa are advanced in age, Prince Akishino, who heads the leading princely household, performs a great number of official duties.

When Prince Akishino takes over the official duties of the crown prince, there will be no male Imperial family member who can perform the official duties that Prince Akishino currently handles. This suggests the possibility that even more official duties would be given to Prince Akishino.

Akira Momochi, a professor of constitutional law at Nihon University, said, “There would be no choice but to reduce the number of official duties that Prince Akishino has been carrying out to date, and that could result in a scale-back in the scope of official duties performed by the Imperial family.”

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Prisma.

Interesting and quite sudden IMO!

So the government did a let's-get-it-over-with.
That means the Emperor could abdicate this year, even before mid-summer perhaps?

 

[Al_bina]

As noted by Prime Minister Abe, the government will be focused on the country's economy and challenges surrounding it (e.g., rapidly aging population and fewer children as well as long deflation). He also added, "Now is the time to promote efforts to create a new form of the nation that is forward-looking". It is impossible to determine what exactly he meant. It was speculated that the government would change the postwar Constitution. If so, the succession issues could be addressed as well.

In New Year's speech, Abe prioritizes economic growth | The Japan Times

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201701041049250943-abe-japan-new-nation/

 

[Prisma]

Thank you for the updates, Prisma.

The first article says, "If the Crown Prince is enthroned, the official duties of Prince Akishino are expected to increase to the amount the Crown Prince is provided." Does the current Crown Prince perform many more official duties than Prince Akishino or Prince Hitachi?

Some have suggested that the imperial family will be compelled to reduce its official duties if Akihito retires.

You're very welcome! I don't have numbers but it does appear CP Naruhito and Prince Akishino are busier than Prince Hitachi. However, their uncle is older, has mobility issues, gets less media coverage, and the IHA doesn't list the Hitachis' schedule.

Between the brothers, it's hard to say since their activities are different and I don't know how duties are assigned. CP Naruhito's activities are mostly confined to the Crown Prince residence: audiences with ambassadors, organizations, representatives, etc. There are events in Tokyo and prefecture visits which are covered pretty well. From old threads, some accuse/suspect the IHA of giving Prince Akishino more duties.

Prince Akishino seems to have more events outside his residence but less media coverage. I suspect his research time will probably be the first to decrease whenever Naruhito succeeds.

Sometimes I feel Asahi prefers Prince Akishino. There have been several instances where Asahi's Imperial schedule omitted Naruhito's attendance whereas the same events are listed for the Akishino or other families. According to Asahi, Naruhito didn't attend the Autumn ritual, Belgium state visit return concert, Emperor Akihito's birthday, year-end lunch, or New Year celebration. Not true, of course. There are photos/videos of him at these events.

I agree, the Imperial family will have to reduce duties if the current law stands. Who knows how long the Mikasa and Takamado cousins will remain in the family (unless they don't marry); IHA doesn't seem to be utilizing them although Ayako is more visible after graduation.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Many thanks for your very comprehensive answer!
Prince Hitachi is the brother of the emperor while Prince Akishino is the brother of the crown prince, so it is odd that the IHA lists the Akishinos' schedule but not the Hitachis'. Perhaps it is because the Akishinos will likely become emperor and empress?
We will see what will happen to the brothers' duties and media coverage when Naruhito is emperor and Fumihito is crown prince.
Now that the emperor and the IHA are worried about the shrinking imperial family, they should more effectively utilize the Mikasas and Takamados.

Over 80% Back Reduction of Emperor’s Official Duties (News) | Nippon.com

According to the survey, 70.9% of respondents said the Emperor’s public activities should be reduced. In addition, 11.5% said that public activities should be eliminated in principal and that his duties should be limited to acts in matters of state.
Meanwhile, 11.9% said that public activities should not be reduced and 5.8% of respondents did not know.


The Emperor’s official duties consist of constitutional acts in matters of state and public activities. Acts in matters of state include convening parliament, appointing the prime minister, awarding honors, and signing and sealing documents of cabinet decisions, while visits to disaster-affected areas and the Imperial garden party are regarded as public activities.

So neither Akihito, who asserts that his "public activities" (which include visiting various places in the country and disaster-stricken areas) are too important to be drastically reduced, nor traditionalists who propose the emperor eliminate the "public activities" and only perform the "acts in matters of state" stipulated in the Constitution, represent the public opinion. An overwhelming majority feels the emperor should reduce but should not eliminate the "public activities".

 

[Rudolph]

Imperial House Law provision floated to install permanent abdication mechanism | The Japan Times

 

[Prisma]

Sankei and Mainichi are reporting the government will submit a bill for CP Naruhito to succeed/new era to start on January 1, 2019.

Hopefully an English version will be available soon.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

I am (as I have said before) a big fan of Emperor Akihito, but what the heck is the point with an abdication when you are 85.

 

[Prisma]

I agree. Seems too long and unnecessary. Is it that big a difference for Naruhito to succeed even mid-2018? Heisei 30/<new era> 1 vs. Heisei 31/<new era> 1? English version is up:

Japan could get new era name on Jan. 1, 2019 - The Mainichi

The government is considering setting Jan. 1, 2019, as the start of a new era under the new emperor and giving it a new name, it has been learned.

[...]

The government apparently views it preferable for a new era name to start on Jan. 1 in order to avoid causing confusion to people's lives. The government also took into consideration the time needed to prepare for the ceremony and other events related to the enthronement.

[...]

Hmm, I'd argue planning could start sooner and there may be less disruption since people already know the era will change.

 

[Muhler]

Odd.

Because that's a looong time, considering the Emperor's age.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Two years of planning seems to be how things are done. Hirohito's enthronement ceremony was held 23 months and Akihito's 22 months after their fathers' demises. And I think it is possible that programmers and engineers will find it easier if the new era starts on January 1.

Imperial House Law provision floated to install permanent abdication mechanism | The Japan Times

The government is now studying the possibility of attaching a supplementary provision to the Imperial House Law that would say emperors can abdicate when allowed by special legislation. That would effectively establish a permanent system to permit abdication, a source familiar with the panel’s discussions said.
This proposal arose from concerns that drafting special legislation would violate the Constitution, which stipulates that the Chrysanthemum Throne shall be “succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law.”

I think that is a good constitutional solution.

 

[Prisma]

There wouldn’t be a funeral, mourning period, or post-entombment rituals for abdication. However, 2019 does appear to be the most convenient after more thought. The government will spend 2017 debating and passing the legislation so January 1, 2018 is too soon and they don’t want a mid-year change. People aren't likely to start updating systems until the bill is passed and Naruhito's era name is announced. The retired Imperial couple, Naruhito's, and Akishino's households need time to move and settle in.

Government mulls new titles for incoming and outgoing emperors: sources | The Japan Times

The government is considering giving Emperor Akihito the title of “joko,” an abbreviation of “daijo tenno,” meaning retired sovereign, should he abdicate, sources said Thursday.

To avoid powers being split between the Emperor, if he abdicates, and his successor, an advisory panel to the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to discuss what official role he could play in the future, according to the sources.

Historically, retired emperors have taken such titles as “daijo tenno” and “joko.”

[...]

Experts who presented their views on 83-year-old Emperor Akihito’s possible abdication to the government panel suggested giving him as his post-abdication title either “zen tenno” or “moto tenno,” both meaning former emperors but the former describing an immediate predecessor.

Because some retired emperors who assumed the title “joko” historically continued to wield power, some experts have expressed reluctance to assign the title to a newly abdicating emperor. But other experts have disagreed, saying the current Emperor is different because he has merely a symbolic status and no political powers under the postwar Constitution.

The government may also announce a new era name for the next Emperor before he assumes the throne, the sources said.

The idea to announce the name of the new era in honor of Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, around half a year ahead of his accession is aimed at curbing the impact of the change by giving people time to prepare, the sources said.

[...]

 

[Muhler]

At least they are going to allow him to abdicate.

Titles and where to live and to address him, that's merely details.

Much more importantly, politically, dynastically and historically is that the lid is off, so to speak, of the option to abdicate - voluntarily or otherwise...

But he might very well die, before the legislation is in place, leaving the whole issue in a limbo.

 

[Prisma]

I certainly hope Emperor Akihito will have a long life and enjoy retirement. If he dies before legislation is passed, I think the abdication issue will be dropped completely or simply moved to the bottom of any government's agenda.

Gov't to forgo title 'retired emperor' upon abdication, mulls 'former emperor' - The Mainichi

[...]

The government is considering using "zen tenno" or "moto tenno" (former emperor), which will less likely be regarded as superior to the emperor.

[...]

Regarding the honorific titles for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko after the Emperor's retirement, some in the government argue for retaining the current titles "His Majesty" and "Her Majesty" ("heika" in Japanese), instead of reverting to their previous titles "His Imperial Highness" and "Her Imperial Highness" ("denka" in Japanese) that were in place before the Emperor's enthronement in 1989.

Under this scenario, the current Emperor will be referred to as "zen tenno heika" or "moto tenno heika" (his former majesty the emperor) upon abdication.

[...]

In July 2010, Emperor Akihito told a meeting of special advisers to the Imperial Household Agency, "I will become joko."

Imperial enthronement rituals could be shortened to reduce burden on successor - The Mainichi

[...]

Emperor Akihito ascended to the throne on Jan. 7, 1989 when Emperor Showa passed away. On that day, rituals covering part of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan were performed. Two days later, there was a ceremony called "Sokui-go Choken-no-gi" (a ceremony for the Emperor to meet with representatives of the people after his enthronement such as the heads of the three branches of government.)

Meanwhile, preparations for a ceremony called "Daijosai" -- the first ceremonial offering of rice by newly-enthroned Emperor Akihito -- started after a one-year mourning period following the demise of Emperor Showa. The ceremony was held 22 months after Emperor Showa passed away. Daijosai is a ritual to pray for abundant crops. The ceremony started with a ritual to select two paddy fields and another key ritual called "Daijokyu-no-Gi," in which the Emperor offers newly harvested crops to Shinto deities, was held at the East Garden of the Imperial Palace on Nov. 22 and 23, 1990.

Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi, a ceremony in which Emperor Akihito formally declared his accession to the throne, was held at the Imperial Palace on Nov. 12, 1990. A series of rituals including the enthronement ceremony were held with the last event ending on Dec. 6, 1990.

In the case of an imperial succession following the abdication of an emperor, rituals will likely be held in a shorter period as at least there will be no mourning period.

[...]

Broad discussion on new era name needed as crown prince likely to ascend throne - The Mainichi

[...]

The procedures for selecting era names reported to the Cabinet meeting in 1979 when the Era Name Act was enacted include: scholars commissioned by the government submit their proposals; the chief Cabinet secretary considers them and narrows them down to several proposals at the instruction of the prime minister; the government solicits opinions from experts from various quarters at their consultative meeting; and a final decision shall be made at a Cabinet meeting after hearing opinions from the speakers and vice speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors.

Abdication procedures based on the assumption of the emperor's demise cannot be technically implemented in advance. Therefore, on the day when Emperor Showa passed away, the government started formal procedures and changed the era name to "Heisei" (Achieving Peace) the following day. The government asked multiple scholars behind the scenes in advance to come up with their proposals for a new era name. On the day of the Emperor's demise, the government called and formally asked the scholars. The government took only about 20 minutes to exchange views at the subsequent expert panel meeting on that day. The government hastily made a final decision in a dignified setting at that time, but if the date for Emperor Akihito's abdication is formally decided, preparations and discussions will be made openly and immediately afterwards.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Panel to offer three methods on emperor's abdication: The Asahi Shimbun

[…]

The council had been leaning toward proposing just one method: enactment of a special case law that would allow only the current emperor to retire. But lawmakers and the public voiced opposition because Diet members, representing the people, would be left out of the decision-making process.

To address such concerns, the council put two other methods on the table: revising the Imperial House Law to make abdication a permanent system; and adding a stipulation to that law as a basis for the future enactment of the special case law.

[…]

Japan Diet heads discuss how to enact emperor's abdication law - The Mainichi

Japan's parliamentary heads began discussing Monday how to handle possible legislation to enable Emperor Akihito to abdicate, including how to iron out differing opinions among political parties.

[…]

Anticipating the current emperor stepping down at the end of 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government is expected to submit legislation to an ordinary Diet session to be convened later this week.

[…]

The 150-day Diet session begins Friday. Debate in parliament is expected to start after the advisory panel, which was established following the emperor's video message, releases the interim report Jan. 23.

 

[Muhler]

Most interesting.
If the Emperor stays alive just long enough for the proposal to become a bill, he will have started a revolution within the JIF. - To retire.
And once the lid is off that one, the question of the lack of spares will move to the forefront again - because if something as fundamental as abdications within an otherwise very rigid system can be accomplished, and fairly quick and with public support. Other pressing issues will inevitably surface.
We may not see a women on the Japanese throne this century (because barring accidents I expect the current heirs to live long lives) but we may see a female heir.

 

[Prisma]

New emperor's ascension on Jan. 1 'difficult' due to events: agency - The Mainichi

It would be "difficult" for Crown Prince Naruhito to begin his reign as the new emperor on Jan. 1, 2019, as has been recently reported by Japanese media, due to key events held every year on New Year's Day, a senior Imperial Household Agency official said Tuesday.

[…]

Vice Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura told a press conference, however, that Jan. 1 "is an important day for the imperial family" and "it would be difficult to set events related to an abdication and enthronement."

He cited the New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace, which is defined as a "matter of state," and various Shinto rites, which are private acts of the family, as the key events.

"I believe it would be better to clarify the Imperial Household Agency's view" as stories of the enthronement on Jan. 1, 2019, have been widely reported, he added.

[…]

During his press conference last week, Nishimura said he was surprised by the news, adding it was "a bolt from the blue."

[…]

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Prisma, my Norwegian friend (who lives in Japan and speaks Japanese) told me that he had heard rumors in the media that the emperor wants to abdicate when he no longer is able to perform his duties (as we already know), and that he now feels pressured by the politicians. Have you heard anything about this?

And (as stated in the article you posted) the Vice Grand Steward said last week that he was surprised by the 2019 news, adding it was "a bolt from the blue."

 

[Prisma]

Interesting. I don't know but I rely on google translate on the mainstream Japanese media and whatever English versions they post. Everyone is fixated on 2018 because Emperor Akihito mentioned that would be the 30th year of Heisei.

This Sankei report indicates the Emperor values New Year's event but who knows. Maybe stating that he disagrees with 1/1/2019 would be crossing into politics/government:

Mr. Nishimura said "...January 1st was widely reported, and I thought that it would be better to convey the view that it is "difficult" at the present time." Although the view itself is not the intention of his Majesty, it revealed that it was based on the feelings of His Majesty valuing New Year events.

The media now reports the government is considering for Emperor Akihito to abdicate on his 85th birthday (Dec. 23, 2018) and CP Naruhito ascending that day or the following day.

Emperor abdication on his 85th birthday in 2018, same-day succession under discussion | The Japan Times

Taking on misconceptions about a New Year's succession- Nikkei Asian Review

[...]

Emperor Hirohito began his reign upon Emperor Taisho's death on Dec. 25, 1926, and died on Jan. 7, 1989, so Showa years 1 and 64 differ from their counterparts on the Gregorian calendar by only about a week.

[...]

In ancient times, enthronement ceremonies were sometimes held on New Year's Day, and era names were customarily left unchanged until the start of the new year. And modern law does not state that the era name must be changed immediately upon accession, technically leaving open the possibility of a space between the two eras. When Emperor Akihito took the throne on Jan. 7, 1989, the Heisei era began the following day. Should he step down on Dec. 31 or even earlier, the new era could begin on Jan. 1.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I concur that the enthronement ceremony can be held at a later date. I think the emperor needs to think of those who will be obligated to update systems for the calendar transition, and the date of abdication must be decided far in advance.

 

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Read more: Editorial: PM's office, Imperial Household Agency should improve communication - The Mainichi

It looks like there may be a difference in understanding and opinion between the prime minister's office and the Imperial Household Agency over the possible abdication of Emperor Akihito. It's cause for concern if that is indeed the case.

The Imperial Household Agency's unfavorable reaction to a possible Jan. 1 ascension ceremony was widely reported by the media, and is said to have been an effort by the agency to clarify its stand on the issue. But it also could've been a display of the agency's frustration for not having been informed earlier by the prime minister's office about its deliberations.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

The government (prime minister) and the IHA (emperor) have steadily condemned one another for poor communication and imprudence over the past few months.

Disharmony between the prime minister's office and the Imperial Household Agency has not been limited to the issue of abdication. They also clashed [in 2013] over the attendance of Princess Hisako of Takamado at a general session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as part of efforts to bring the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics to Tokyo.

Out of concern that the princess's attendance at the IOC general session could be considered political exploitation of an Imperial Family member, then Grand Steward Kazaoka said the decision to allow Princess Hisako's participation in the meeting was a "wrenching" one, a remark that elicited criticism from Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga.

More on that clash in this article:
Suga irked, says princess' trip to IOC not political | The Japan Times

 

[Muhler]

Read more: Editorial: PM's office, Imperial Household Agency should improve communication - The Mainichi

Improve communications? - How about a complete reform?
I must confess that until now I haven't understood the deeper purpose of that agency and certainly not in this day and age.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Improve communications? - How about a complete reform?
I must confess that until now I haven't understood the deeper purpose of that agency and certainly not in this day and age.

A reform of the Prime Minister and his office, or of the emperor and the Imperial Household Agency? Or each of them?

 

[Muhler]

While I think the Japanese political establishment may need a loving whack in the head, it was actually the Household Agency I referred to.

 

[Spheno]

Improve communications? - How about a complete reform?
I must confess that until now I haven't understood the deeper purpose of that agency and certainly not in this day and age.

I think it's japan version of The Royal Households of the United Kingdom or The Executive Office of the President of the United States.

 

[JSH]

Except that I've never gotten the impression that the Emperor is the head of the IHA. He's more an underling of theirs. Along with the rest of the royal family.

 

[Prisma]

Thanks Royal Norway and Tatiana Maria!

I can't imagine other royal establishments describing sending a royal to an IOC session as "wrenching". IOC has royal members.

I have my doubts about Emperor Akihito abdicating on his 85th birthday. His birthday is a National holiday with a full agenda similar to New Year's (well, at least he doesn't have 5:30am Shinto rituals...). Unless it's completely different, fitting in abdication ceremonies would be hard too.

Former PM and current Secretary General of the DPJ, Yoshihiko Noda told reporters female-headed branches should also be discussed.
Yomiuri
Google translation

Japan lawmakers launch abdication talks- Nikkei Asian Review

The ruling coalition, along with sometime ally Nippon Ishin no Kai, prefer one-off special legislation applying only to Emperor Akihito. The opposition Democratic Party and Japanese Communist Party advocate revising the Imperial House Law to establish a permanent system.

[...]

Debate within each party is set to intensify as well. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party plans to set up a new discussion group, headed by party Vice President Masahiko Komura, after a meeting of senior officials Monday.

[...]

A Democratic Party committee has already put together an interim report. "The shrinking Imperial family is also an issue we need to address quickly," Secretary-General Yoshihiko Noda said. "We'll advocate putting it on the discussion table."

Except that I've never gotten the impression that the Emperor is the head of the IHA. He's more an underling of theirs. Along with the rest of the royal family.

Yes, I'm not sure how much influence the Imperial family has on their households. The government appoints the vice-grand steward who eventually gets the top position. It's become custom for the grand steward to retire when reaching 70. The practice is apparently the same for the Crown Prince household. I came across an article last year that the head of the Crown Prince's household was retiring at 70 and his replacement was 68 which means another shuffle soon. Maybe the other families have more say; there was something about bigger differences between the inner-court (Emperor and CP households) and outer-court (Akishino, Hitachi, Mikasa, and Takamado branches).

 

[Prisma]

More from Emperor Akihito's friend Mototsugu Akashi. Royal Norway's friend is correct about Emperor Akihito wanting to abdicate on his own terms.

Confidante says Emperor told him he wants abdication option codified for future monarchs | The Japan Times

He apparently believes an emperor should simply leave his position when he becomes too old and unable to fully perform his public duties.

“His majesty is a very serious person. He doesn’t get lazy about anything,” said Akashi, who went to the same kindergarten, elementary, junior high and high schools as the Emperor.

“If he believes the symbolic emperor should do a certain thing, he would do it thoroughly until he gets exhausted,” said Akashi, who was also one of the Emperor’s horse-riding companions.

 

[Muhler]

As I thought the Emperor has started a minor revolution regarding abdications.
And now the issue of lack of spares is popping up again.

Emperor Akihito is on a roll.