Emperor Akihito shocks Japan with abdication hint

Japan's Emperor Akihito today shocked his country by signalling he wants to abdicate, saying age and deteriorating physical state mean he is struggling to fulfil his duties.

The 82-year-old went as far as he could in a rare televised address without explicitly saying he wanted to resign his crown, as he is forbidden to make political statements under the country’s constitution.

Broadcast on national television, the announcement was watched on outdoor screens in the capital Tokyo and sparked emotional scenes.

In the 10-minute pre-recorded speech broadcast he said: “When I consider my age of over 80, as well as my gradually deteriorating physical condition despite being luckily healthy at this moment, I am concerned about being able to fulfil my duties as a symbol with the utmost efforts, as I have done.”

Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been Emperor since the death of his father Hirohito in 1989. The monarch spoke publicly after recent media reports suggested that he wanted to abdicate. However it could be a drawn-out process as it would require legal reform and a vote by parliament to amend existing rules.