(CNN) On Monday, Japanese Emperor Akihito delivered a rare televised address to the nation about his declining health and the burden of his duties. The reigning Emperor Akihito has notably broken with tradition, marrying a commoner and comforting natural disaster survivors. Akihito would have to wait for the Japanese parliament to change the law first.
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Akihito tried to heal the scars left from the country’s involvement in WWII.
Akihito, who has had heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer, has been on the throne in Japan since the death of his father, Hirohito, in 1989. Once acceding to the throne he was seen as the “people’s emperor” and was often seen interacting with ordinary Japanese citizens.
And while Akihito did not state his intentions explicitly, meaning his words will remain open to interpretation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other political leaders stressed the need to take the emperor’s address seriously.
Akihito’s announcement was seen as a plea that he be allowed to step down, something which is not now allowed under Japanese law, which requires emperors to serve until death.
Emperor Akihito, 82, said in the 10-minute pre-recorded message he feared his age and failing health could impact his ability to fulfill his duties as a symbol of the state.
“When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am anxious that it may become hard for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now”, Akihito said in his speech.
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Akihito’s two sons have reportedly accepted the idea of an abdication, with Crown Prince Naruhito in line to become regent.
