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    Japan's Emperor Will Be Permitted To Abdicate

    Japan's Parliament has approved a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate. Last year Akihito — in oblique language — asked permission to do so, citing his advanced age and poor health.
    by Mark Katkov Jun 09, 2017 1 minute
    Japan's Parliament has approved a law permitting Emperor Akihito to abdicate the throne. Pictured are Akihito, far left, Empress Michiko, second from left, and members of the royal family at a spring garden party in the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo. / KAZUHIRO NOGI / Getty Images

    According to legend, Japan's monarchy originated 2,700 years ago with the goddess Amaterasu, a female deity said to be the nation's first emperor.

    The current emperor, Akihito, is mortal. Expressing his wishes in oblique language , Akihito, 83, asked permission to abdicate,

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