Concluded in Special Law

The argument over new legislation for Emperor’s abdication in the Diet is going to be concluded in establishing special law only applied to Akihito. Democratic Party, that had been requiring permanent legislation, changed its position approaching to the idea of Liberal Democratic Party for early settlement. It is likely for both the leading and the opposite parties to make an agreement within this week and the bill will be submitted to the Diet as early as in May.

DP has been requiring amendment of Imperial House Law, which determines the way of succeeding throne. In case a temporary special law has to be established, the party assumes to include three conditions: the successor has come of age, intention of Emperor and resolution of Imperial Household Conference organized with the Imperial family, Prime Minister or Speakers of both Houses.

LDP considers including the bill a description of coming of age and condition for abdication such as Emperor’s aging or unanimous agreement of the nation. By adding Imperial House Law a grounding provision for the special legislation, LDP is coordinating the legislation to be integrated with the basic law for Imperial system. DP is recognizing the modification as equivalent to amendment of Imperial House Law.

In the annual convention of DP on Sunday, Secretary General Yoshihiko Noda insisted on cooperative approach on the issue. “We will sincerely deal with this issue for establishing legislation with overall consensus of all parties,” told Noda. The hardliners in the party, including former Minister of Environment Goshi Hosono, are following decision made by Noda. Japan Communist Party and Social Democratic Party are also reaching a compromise.

Conservative groups in LDP have been reluctant to let the special law be an example of abdication and erode dignity of Imperial system. Vice-President of LDP, Masahiko Komura tried to make a deal by indicating a possibility not excluding abdication of future Emperor. DP was satisfied with the deal made by their firm position for permanent legislation.

The Speakers of both Houses will send their conclusion for special law to the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as early as this Friday. The opinion of the Diet will be discussed in the experts’ conference for abdication and the conference will reach a conclusion in late April. However, there still remain some problems such as naming of retired Emperor or status of brother of new Emperor. It is still unclear whether the discussion will lead to stability of Imperial system.