9 of 16 Experts Positive about Emperor's Abdication

Tokyo, Nov. 30 (Jiji Press)--Nine of the 16 summoned experts took positive positions on Japanese Emperor Akihito's possible abdication, in a series of three hearing sessions on the matter a government advisory panel ended on Wednesday. Of the nine experts, four called for establishing a permanent system for Imperial abdication while five sought to enact a special abdication law applicable only to the current Emperor. The seven others opposed or were cautious about allowing the Emperor to abdicate. The hearing session took place on Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Wednesday. Based on the hearings, the panel will draw up a summary of issues that need to be discussed related to Imperial abdication, which is not allowed under the current system. The summary is expected to be released in late January. The government is in favor of enacting a one-off abdication law, a step that would not require the lengthy discussions needed to establish a permanent system, sources familiar with the situation said. The government is considering submitting related legislation to the Diet, the country's parliament, after the holiday period in early May next year, the sources said. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga sounded negative about a proposal that the ruling bloc and the opposition camp start talks on Imperial abdication by year-end. Such talks would be preferable after the advisory panel makes a certain level of progress on its task, Suga said. The proposal was made by Yoshihiko Noda, secretary-general of the major opposition Democratic Party, on Monday. In Wednesday's hearing session, Akira Momochi, visiting professor at Kokushikan University, said the 82-year-old Emperor's abdication should be allowed as an exception, considering his age. The conservative scholar stressed that the lifelong tenure of the Emperor should basically be maintained. But he also said the Emperor's human dignity could be hurt under the current system if, for instance, the Emperor becomes ill at an advanced age. Makoto Oishi, professor at Kyoto University, said the Emperor's abdication should be allowed with some conditions, including approval by the Imperial House Council and the cabinet. Former Supreme Court Justice Itsuo Sonobe called for establishing a permanent system for conditional abdication. But he added that a one-off abdication law is appropriate for the current Emperor, because working out a permanent abdication system will take time. Kazuyuki Takahashi, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, also supported the introduction of a permanent abdication system. "The constitution does not prohibit the establishment of an abdication system," he said, adding that a special law is also possible under the constitution. Hidetsugu Yagi, professor at Reitaku University, insisted that the Imperial system would be less stable if the Emperor is allowed to step down at his own will. END