81% approve abdication by Japanese emperor: Survey
TOKYO - The Japanese government will likely set up a panel of experts and other relevant people as early as September to discuss revising the Imperial House Law..
Eighty-one per cent of respondents to a survey said relevant systems should be revised to facilitate an abdication by the Japanese emperor, which is currently prohibited. The number vastly exceeds the 10 per cent who said there is no need to revise the relevant systems.
The survey was conducted by The Yomiuri Shimbun following the release of a video message in which the Japanese emperor indicated his desire to abdicate.
The survey, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday, is similar to one conducted on Aug. 3 and 4, before the release of the video message, in that the percentage of those who said revisions are needed remained over 80 per cent. In that survey, 84 per cent said revisions should be made.
The results of the surveys indicate that most Japanese people approve of changing the relevant systems.
When those in support of revisions were asked specifically how the systems should be changed, 80 per cent said it would be better to approve of abdications for the current emperor and all subsequent emperors. Fourteen per cent said revisions should only apply to the current emperor.
The government will likely set up a panel of experts and other relevant people as early as September to discuss revising the Imperial House Law and enacting a special law for that purpose, among other topics.
When asked about the government’s response to revising relevant systems, 52 per cent said it should take urgent action and 43 per cent said it should take careful consideration.
Respondents who said they hope that the emperor remains in his post through such measures as reducing official duties or assigning the crown prince as a regent stood at 37 per cent. This is less than the 49 per cent who said they do not hope so.
