Emperor Abdication Law

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According to the Imperial Household Law, the Emperor is "on throne until death". The Abdication Law, however, provides legal basis for the abdication of Akihito and the accession of Crown Prince Naruhito, and was described by the Chief Cabinet Secretary as "setting up precedents for the future".{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=官房長官「特例法は先例になり得る」 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011901811000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190503161345/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011901811000.html |archive-date=2019-05-03 |website=NHK |access-date=2022-07-05 }}

Akihito reportedly revealed his intention to abdicate on 22 July 2010 in a Palace Meeting,{{Cite web |date=2019-04-29 |title=陛下が初めて"退位"を告げた夜 |url=https://news.tbs.co.jp/newsi_sp/heisei/archive/20190429.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505092527/https://news.tbs.co.jp/newsi_sp/heisei/archive/20190429.html |archive-date=2019-05-05 |website=TBS}} admitting his parents' illnesses in their later years, including cancer of Emperor Hirohito and dementia of Empress Kōjun, had impacted him hugely.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=天皇陛下退位 宮内庁キャップ解説 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011902371000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190430192512/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011902371000.html |archive-date=2019-04-30 |website=NHK |access-date=2022-07-05 }}

NHK, a major Japanese public broadcaster, reported on 13 July 2016 and citing officials of Imperial Household Agency, that "His Majesty the Emperor had expressed his intention to abdicate for Crown Prince Naruhito in the coming few years".{{Cite web |date=2016-07-14 |title=Japan emperor intends to abdicate 'in a few years': NHK |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/14/japan-emperor-akihito-intends-to-abdicate-in-a-few-years-nhk-says.html |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=2017-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723201626/http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/14/japan-emperor-akihito-intends-to-abdicate-in-a-few-years-nhk-says.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2016-07-13 |title=Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36784045 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2019-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410170615/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36784045 |url-status=live }} The Agency initially rejected the report as "impossible" and "unrealistic".{{Cite web |last=藤代 |first=裕之 |date=2016-07-14 |title=宮内庁次長は全面否定、天皇陛下「生前退位」ニュースの読み解き方 |url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/fujisiro/20160714-00059955 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Yahoo |language=ja |archive-date=2022-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618122844/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/byline/fujisiro/20160714-00059955 |url-status=live }}

On 8 August, the Emperor made his second-ever televised address to the public. Akihito said his declining health means it is difficult to fulfil his duties, which strongly indicated his wish to abdicate as he was barred from making political statements according to the constitution.{{Cite news |date=2016-08-08 |title=Japanese Emperor Akihito's address in full |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37008210 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2022-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403235628/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37008210 |url-status=live }} Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government would take the remarks seriously and discuss what could be done.{{Cite news |date=2016-08-08 |title=Japan's Emperor Akihito hints at wish to abdicate |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37007106 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2019-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428131517/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37007106 |url-status=live }}

The cabinet convened 14 meetings on "reducing the burden of Emperor's duties" in 2016 and 2017. On 21 April 2017, the final report of the meetings was published which recommended the enactment of new law by the National Diet. The proposed bill would allow Akihito to abdicate and be conferred the title of "Emperor Emeritus", while Empress Michiko, wife of Akihito, will be called "Empress Emeritus". Both will retain the title of "Majesty". The Imperial Household Agency will be reformed by creating "Department of Emperor Emeritus" and "Department of Crown Prince".{{Cite web |author= |date=2017-04-21 |title=天皇の公務の負担軽減等に関する有識者会議最終報告 |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/koumu_keigen/pdf/saisyuhoukoku.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624092214/http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/singi/koumu_keigen/pdf/saisyuhoukoku.pdf |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2017-05-23 |website=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |publisher= |language=ja |format=PDF}}{{Cite news |author= |date=2017-04-22 |title=天皇退位 有識者会議の最終報告全文 |pages=12–13 |work=読売新聞東京本社版朝刊}}

All parliamentary parties were invited to send representatives over drafting of the bill by virtue of Article 1 of the Constitution, which said "The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with whom resides sovereign power."{{Cite news |date=2017-06-01 |title=【譲位特例法案】 民進は「女性宮家」議論の時期などに最後まで固執 維新は「合意優先」の与党に不快感 |work=Sankei Shimbun |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20170601-HE26U7S22NLVLGSU4F46REN3OQ/2/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614060436/https://www.sankei.com/article/20170601-HE26U7S22NLVLGSU4F46REN3OQ/2/ |archive-date=2022-06-14 |access-date=2017-06-14}}{{Cite news |date=2017-06-09 |title=<退位特例法成立>大島衆院議長「立法府の責任果たした」 |work=Mainichi Shimbun |publisher= |url=https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20170609-00000127-mai-pol |access-date=2017-06-14}}

The bill was agreed by the cabinet in the meeting on 19 May 2017,{{Cite news |date=2017-05-19 |title=平成29年5月19日（金）定例閣議案件 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2017/kakugi-2017051901.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508105428/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2017/kakugi-2017051901.html |archive-date=2021-05-08 |access-date=2020-08-30}}{{Cite web |title=天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法 |url=https://hourei.ndl.go.jp/#/detail?lawId=0000142588&searchDiv=1¤t=1 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=National Diet Library |archive-date=2020-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207011223/https://hourei.ndl.go.jp/#/detail?lawId=0000142588&searchDiv=1¤t=1 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hincks |first=Joseph |date=2017-05-19 |title=Japan's Emperor Akihito Is a Step Closer to Abdicating |url=https://time.com/4785586/emperor-akihito-abdication-bill-approved/ |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Time |language=en |archive-date=2021-11-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111164218/https://time.com/4785586/emperor-akihito-abdication-bill-approved/ |url-status=live }} and was sent to the National Diet on the same day.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-19 |title=Japan cabinet approves bill allowing emperor abdication |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/5/19/japan-cabinet-approves-emperor-akihito-abdication-bill |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=2021-01-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125123426/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/5/19/japan-cabinet-approves-emperor-akihito-abdication-bill |url-status=live }} Following discussion in a committee of the House of Representatives on 1 June,{{Cite web |title=衆議院議院運営委員会議事録 平成29年6月1日 |url=https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/193/0020/19306010020031.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000409/http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/193/0020/19306010020031.pdf |archive-date=2017-10-05 |access-date=2022-06-10 |publisher=National Diet Library}} the bill was passed in the House of Representatives with a simple majority on the next day - noticeably that no independent member or parties indicate objection.{{Cite web |date= |title=法律案等審査経過概要 第193回国会 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法案（内閣提出第66号） |url=https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_iinkai.nsf/html/gianrireki/193_193_kakuho_66.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610230721/https://www.shugiin.go.jp/internet/itdb_iinkai.nsf/html/gianrireki/193_193_kakuho_66.htm |archive-date=2022-06-10 |access-date=2020-09-01 |publisher=House of Representatives |language=ja}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-06-02 |title=Japan passes bill allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate |url=https://www.dw.com/en/japan-passes-bill-allowing-emperor-akihito-to-abdicate/a-39089855 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=Deutsche Welle |language= |archive-date=2021-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525014330/https://www.dw.com/en/japan-passes-bill-allowing-emperor-akihito-to-abdicate/a-39089855 |url-status=live }}

The House of Councillors, the upper house, then established the "Special Bills Committee on the Law for Special Exception of the Imperial House Law concerning Abdication, etc. of Emperor" for further discussion.{{Cite web |title=参議院天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法案特別委員会議事録 平成29年6月7日 |url=https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/sangiin/193/0199/19306070199002.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312083312/http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/sangiin/193/0199/19306070199002.pdf |archive-date=2018-03-12 |access-date=2022-06-10 |publisher=National Diet Library}} The Councillors passed the bill on 9 June without objection,{{Cite web |date=2017-06-09 |title=天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法案（内閣提出、衆議院送付） |url=https://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/#/detail?minId=119315254X03120170609 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website= |publisher=National Diet Library |archive-date=2016-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826173908/http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/023/0082/02312030082002a.html#/detail?minId=119315254X03120170609 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2017-06-09 |title=Japan passes landmark bill for Emperor Akihito to abdicate |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40168983 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2019-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408160732/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40168983 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-09 |title=Japan clears way for popular 83-year-old emperor's abdication |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20170609-japan-clears-way-emperor-akihito-abdication |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706010700/https://www.france24.com/en/20170609-japan-clears-way-emperor-akihito-abdication |url-status=live }} but the Liberal Party abstained from the vote, saying the abdication should be handled by the amendment to the Imperial Household Law.{{Cite news |date=2017-06-09 |title=天皇退位、特例法が成立 一代限り退位容認 |work=Nikkei |publisher= |url=https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFS08H5T_Y7A600C1MM0000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929150552/https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFS08H5T_Y7A600C1MM0000 |archive-date=2020-09-29 |access-date=2017-10-06}}{{Cite news |date=2017-05-30 |title=自由党、採決を棄権へ 退位特例法案 |work=Nikkei |publisher= |url=https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFS30H5S_Q7A530C1PP8000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924024306/https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFS30H5S_Q7A530C1PP8000 |archive-date=2020-09-24 |access-date=2017-10-06}} The law came into effect on 16 June.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-13 |title=「退位」特例法 今月16日にも正式公布 |url=http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20170613/k10011015721000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613042442/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20170613/k10011015721000.html |archive-date=2017-06-13 |website=NHK}}{{Cite journal|date=2017-06-16 |issue=128|title=法律第六十三号 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法 |url=https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20170616/20170616g00128/pdf/20170616g001280035.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624092242/https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20170616/20170616g00128/pdf/20170616g001280035.pdf#page=1&view=Fit&scrollbar=0&zoom=100 |archive-date=2021-06-24 |website=Kanpou |page=35}}{{Cite journal |date=2017-06-16 |issue=128|title=法律第六十三号 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法|url=https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20170616/20170616g00128/pdf/20170616g001280036.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624092205/https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20170616/20170616g00128/pdf/20170616g001280036.pdf#page=1&view=Fit&scrollbar=0&zoom=100 |archive-date=2021-06-24 |journal=Kanpou |page=36}}

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A resolution was included in the bill, which confirmed "the Government will take into account the shrinking of the imperial family, and will consider various measures regarding the imperial succession, including the establishment of female palace, and to timely report to the National Diet."{{Cite web |author= |date=2017-06-01 |title=衆院議運委で特例法案可決 2日に衆院通過へ 「女性宮家」検討の付帯決議も採択 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20170601-7K3ASW4ZWVNCXPSOHVTPZWWQ7I/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614054139/https://www.sankei.com/article/20170601-7K3ASW4ZWVNCXPSOHVTPZWWQ7I/ |archive-date=2022-06-14 |access-date=2017-06-18 |work= |publisher=Sankei Shimbun |language=ja}}{{Cite web |author= |date=2017-06-07 |title=退位特例法案を参院委可決 「女性宮家」付帯決議も |url=https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFK07H1J_X00C17A6000000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122235130/https://r.nikkei.com/article/DGXLASFK07H1J_X00C17A6000000 |archive-date=2020-11-22 |access-date=2017-06-18 |work= |publisher=Nikkei |language=ja}}{{Cite web |author= |date=2017-06-07 |title=天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法案に対する附帯決議 |url=http://www.sangiin.go.jp/japanese/gianjoho/ketsugi/193/f431_060701.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624092504/https://www.sangiin.go.jp/japanese/gianjoho/ketsugi/193/f431_060701.pdf |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2017-06-18 |work= |publisher=House of Councillors |language=ja}}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-09 |title=Japan opens the door to debate on female succession to the Chrysanthemum throne |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/09/japan-opens-the-door-to-debate-on-female-succession-to-the-chrysanthemum-throne |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706010659/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/09/japan-opens-the-door-to-debate-on-female-succession-to-the-chrysanthemum-throne |url-status=live }}

The opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, formed a study group on studying the possibility of absolute primogeniture (i.e. to allow female succession to the crown) and to make abdication procedures permanent.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-30 |title=安定した皇位継承 立民が各党に協議呼びかけへ |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011900851000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190430021311/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20190430/k10011900851000.html |archive-date=2019-04-30 |website=NHK |access-date=2022-07-05 }}

{{Main|2019 Japanese imperial transition}}

File:Yoshihide Suga announcing new imperial era Reiwa 2 (cropped).jpg", the new era name, announced by Yoshihide Suga, Chief Cabinet Secretary
(1 April 2019)]]

File:Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor at the Seiden5.png of Naruhito as Emperor of Japan
(22 October 2019)]]

Following the passage of bill into law, the Government started planning the timeline of the abdication and to decide on the new era name.

On 1 December 2017, the Imperial Household Council decided the abdication of Emperor Akihito will take place on 30 April 2019.

Members of the Imperial Household Council (on 1 December 2017) below:{{Cite web |date=2017-12-01 |title=皇室会議資料 |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/content/20171201.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614042902/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/content/20171201.pdf |archive-date=2022-06-14 |access-date=2017-12-01 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |language=ja |format=PDF}}{{Cite news |date=2017-12-01 |title=皇室会議についての会見 |work= |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |agency= |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/98_abe/actions/201712/01kaiken.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830185553/http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/98_abe/actions/201712/01kaiken.html |archive-date=2020-08-30 |access-date=2017-12-01}}{{Cite news |date=2017-12-01 |title=天皇陛下退位日、19年4月30日決定 翌日から新元号 |work=Asahi Shimbun |agency= |url=http://www.asahi.com/sp/articles/ASKCZ6TBXKCZUTFK015.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205152323/http://www.asahi.com/sp/articles/ASKCZ6TBXKCZUTFK015.html |archive-date=2017-12-05 |access-date=2017-12-01}}

• Shinzo Abe (Prime Minister) - Chairperson
• Masahito, Prince Hitachi (Member of Japanese Imperial Family)
• Hanako, Princess Hitachi (Member of Japanese Imperial Family)
• Tadamori Ōshima (Speaker of the House of Representatives)
• Chūichi Date (President of the House of Councillors)
• Hirotaka Akamatsu (Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives)
• Akira Gunji (Vice President of the House of Councillors)
• Itsuro Terada (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court)
• Kiyoko Okabe (Justice of the Supreme Court of Japan)
• Shinichiro Yamamoto (Grand Steward of Imperial Household Agency)
• Some other members of the National Diet

The abdication of Akihito had once been considered to be held on 31 March 2019 and the accession on the next day, but was abandoned because of the potential political impact by the local elections.{{Cite news |date=2017-11-22 |title=天皇退位：統一地方選を考慮 19年4月30日有力 |work=Mainichi Shimbun |publisher= |url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20171123/k00/00m/010/110000c |access-date=2018-03-17 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180317112948/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20171123/k00/00m/010/110000c |archive-date=2018-03-17}}

The Third Abe Cabinet agreed the abdication date on 8 December 2017,{{Cite news |date= |title=平成29年12月8日（金）定例閣議案件 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2017/kakugi-2017120801.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612034037/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2017/kakugi-2017120801.html |archive-date=2022-06-12 |access-date=2020-09-01}} and the decree was gazetted on 13 December.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-13 |title=退位は再来年4月30日 即位は5月1日の日程が確定 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20171213/k10011256801000.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213090731/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20171213/k10011256801000.html |archive-date=2017-12-13 |website=NHK}}{{Cite journal |date=2017-12-13 |title=政令第三百二号 行期日を定める政令 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法の施 |url=https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20171213/20171213h07163/20171213h071630001f.html |journal=Kanpou |issue=7163 |pages=1 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2019-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401071000/https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20171213/20171213h07163/20171213h071630001f.html |url-status=live }} The decree which provides legal basis for the abdication ceremony was also promulgated on 9 March 2018 after cabinet's decision on 6 March.{{Cite news |date= |title=平成30年3月6日（火）定例閣議案件 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |url=https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2018/kakugi-2018030601.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610230717/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2018/kakugi-2018030601.html |archive-date=2022-06-10 |access-date=2020-09-01}}{{Cite journal|issue=7219|date=2018-03-09 |title=政令第四十四号 天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法施行令|page=2 |url=http://kanpou.npb.go.jp/20180309/20180309h07219/20180309h072190002f.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312144150/http://kanpou.npb.go.jp/20180309/20180309h07219/20180309h072190002f.html |archive-date=2018-03-12 |journal=Kanpou}}

On 1 April 2019, the cabinet decided on the details of the announcement of the new era name, and that the new era name would come into effect on 1 May 2019 with the accession to the throne of Naruhito, Akihito's eldest son.{{Cite web |date=2019-04-01 |title=平成31年4月1日（月）臨時閣議案件 |url=http://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2019/kakugi-2019040101.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610230717/https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/kakugi/2019/kakugi-2019040101.html |archive-date=2022-06-10 |access-date=2020-09-01 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office of Japan |language=ja}}{{Cite journal|issue=Special Extraordinary 9|date=2019-04-01|title=政令第百四十三号 元号を改める政令|url=https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20190401/20190401t00009/20190401t000090001f.html|journal=Kanpou|url-status=live|access-date=2022-07-05|archive-date=2021-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517171008/https://kanpou.npb.go.jp/old/20190401/20190401t00009/20190401t000090001f.html}} Crown Prince Naruhito became the 126th Emperor at the midnight of 1 May 2019, and the era name was changed from Heisei to Reiwa simultaneously.{{Cite news |date=2019-05-01 |title=Japan abdication and accession: Your questions answered |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48111654 |access-date=2022-07-05 |archive-date=2022-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624142522/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48111654 |url-status=live }}

Section 1 (Preamble) provides the background information of Emperor Akihito, which includes his health issues and the necessity of abdication.

Section 2 (Abdication of Emperor and Succession by Crown Prince) stipulates that the abdication of Akihito and succession by his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito will happen on "enforcement date".

Section 3 (Emperor Emeritus) and Section 4 (Empress Emeritus) stipulate, respectively, the title of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko after abdication.

Section 5 (Crown Prince after succession to the throne) confers the title of crown prince to Fumihito, Naruhito's brother.{{Cite web |title=天皇の退位等に関する皇室典範特例法 |url=https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=429AC0000000063 |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=www.e-gov.go.jp |archive-date=2022-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219043748/https://elaws.e-gov.go.jp/document?lawid=429AC0000000063 |url-status=live }}

The annexes of the law provides further details in connection with the abdication, including the enforcement and expiry date of the law, application of laws related to Emperor and Empress Emeritus and the finance of the Imperial Family, taxation, exemption of public consultation, amendment to the Imperial Household, Public Holiday Law and Imperial Household Agency Law.

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Category:2017 in Japanese politics

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Category:Succession acts

Category:Japanese imperial history