TOKYO: The Japanese government will launch discussions for stable Imperial succession after the April 19 "Rikkoshi-no-Rei" ceremonies to proclaim Crown Prince Akishino's rise to first in line to the throne, an official said Monday.

At a House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government has already started conducting hearings with experts and collecting related papers.

A supplementary resolution attached to the special law enacted in 2017 for the abdication of then Emperor Akihito stipulates that the government consider ways to secure the stability of Imperial succession soon after his abdication.

Rikkoshi-no-Rei is "the last of a series of ceremonies" related to the latest Imperial succession, Suga said. In May last year, Emperor Naruhito, the eldest son of former Emperor Akihito, now the Emperor Emeritus, and elder brother of Crown Prince Akishino, ascended the throne.

"We'd like to move various things ahead after this (Rikkoshi-no-Rei) event is over," Suga said.

The government has not asked those who left the Imperial Family soon after the end of World War II whether they might accept possible restoration of the family status, he added.

JIJI Press