[5] Akihito reportedly revealed his intention to abdicate on 22 July 2010 in a Palace Meeting,[6] admitting his parents' illnesses in their later years, including cancer of Emperor Hirohito and dementia of Empress Kōjun, had impacted him hugely.

[7] NHK, a major Japanese public broadcaster, reported on 13 July 2016 and citing officials of Imperial Household Agency, that "His Majesty the Emperor had expressed his intention to abdicate for Crown Prince Naruhito in the coming few years".

Akihito said his declining health means it is difficult to fulfil his duties, which strongly indicated his wish to abdicate as he was barred from making political statements according to the constitution.

On 21 April 2017, the final report of the meetings was published which recommended the enactment of new law by the National Diet.

[24] The Councillors passed the bill on 9 June without objection,[25][26][27] but the Liberal Party abstained from the vote, saying the abdication should be handled by the amendment to the Imperial Household Law.

Members of the Imperial Household Council (on 1 December 2017) below:[39][40][41] The abdication of Akihito had once been considered to be held on 31 March 2019 and the accession on the next day, but was abandoned because of the potential political impact by the local elections.

[50] Section 1 (Preamble) provides the background information of Emperor Akihito, which includes his health issues and the necessity of abdication.