Japan's Emperor Akihito has hinted at a possible abdication because of ill health during his addressing the nation. "I am concerned that the gradual deterioration of my health will not let me with the utmost vigor and with all my heart to serve as a symbol of the state", - he said in the 10-minute statement to the NHK channel. "I sincerely wish that my role of the state symbols as the emperor went on and on, without a break," - he said slowly. Emperor speech to the nation occur quite rarely - this is the second televised address since 2011, when the emperor addressed the nation after the devastating tsunami.

Earlier, Japanese media reported that the 82-year-old emperor, who underwent heart surgery and is being treated for prostate cancer, expressed his intention to abdicate in the coming years.

Regular Japanese support emperor’s desire to abdicate, however, there is no legal basis in Japan for the abdication.

Emperor Akihito recently transferred part of their duties to the heir, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito. Naruhito has only one daughter, and since in the imperial family inheritance goes through the male line, the next candidate to the throne is a Naruhito’s brother - Akishino, and then - his 9-year-old nephew Hisahito.

Before the birth of Prince Hisahito of Akishino there were no male heirs born in the imperial family for more than 40 years, which caused debate over the inheritance of the throne by women.

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