19 December 2016•Update: 20 December 2016
TOKYO
Japan’s 82-year-old Emperor Akihito has canceled an annual year-end luncheon with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe due to a cold.
Kyodo news agency cited an official from the Imperial Household Agency as saying Monday that the emperor is recovering from the cold but has been advised by his doctor to continue resting.
He has been resting at the Imperial Palace since Friday with symptoms of a cold and fever.
The year-end luncheon was due to be held at the palace in the afternoon with the attendance of Abe, other senior government officials and Crown Prince Naruhito.
Earlier this year, Emperor Akihito announced in a speech broadcast directly to the Japanese people that he wanted to hand over the public burdens of the monarchy to Naruhito, now 56.
The Imperial Household law governing the emperor’s itinerary, however, has no provision for an imperial abdication as emperors are expected to serve until death.
Any change would require parliament to amend the law.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, Akihito -- who turns 83 on Friday -- takes part in about 250 public meetings and 75 trips both at home and abroad a year.
The household staff has tried to limit his duties, but there are some -- including religious rites -- he can’t easily delegate.
