[fokker]

I didn't see anything about this in EE or P&W, so decided to make this thread. Mods, if it's more suitable for EE, please move it there.

SBS Wrote:

Japanese Emperor Akihito is making plans to abdicate, which would be the first one in nearly two centuries, the monarch's younger son said.

Emperor Akihito will hand over all public duties to his heir after retiring in what will be Japan's first abdication in nearly two centuries, the monarch's younger son said, responding to worries a former emperor might weaken his successor's status.

Japan's constitution defines the emperor as a symbol of the state and the people, without political power. His duties include Shinto religious ceremonies and constitutionally-defined tasks, such as the opening of parliament.

The octogenarian Akihito's 29-year reign has also been marked by travels to domestic disaster sites to cheer survivors, and overseas to soothe the wounds of a war fought in the name of his father, Emperor Hirohito, who was considered divine until Japan's defeat in World War Two.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/japanese-emp...o-abdicate

[porscheguy]

Abdication is the only way to effectively retire from your post as a monarch. He wasn’t a spring chicken when he took the throne anyway. I imagine all of the ceremonial shit gets old once you reach your late 80s. Even queen Elizabeth has handed over the majority of her duties to Charles. The concept of lifetime rule didn’t really take into account modern medicine.

[Roardog]

Probably makes succession easier when you're still alive to make sure your wishes are followed. I don't know if there is any conflict about who will take over from him but abdicating so that you have a strong influence on the succession outcome is a sensible decision to ensure it goes smoothly.
He's also probably struggling with the official duties at such an advanced age. As porscheguy said, lifetime rule didn't take into account modern medicine.