EMPEROR CONSIDERS ABDICATION天皇陛下「生前退位」の意向示される

NHK has learned an unprecedented change in modern Japan could take place in the near future. Sources from the Imperial Household Agency tell us that Japan's Emperor Akihito intends to step down in the coming years. He has been informing close aides that he will hand over the throne to his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito.
The Emperor is 82 and has reigned for 28 years since he succeeded his father, Emperor Showa, whose given name was Hirohito. Sources say he wants to step down before he is too frail to fully carry out his duties, and they say he has already informed his family.
There are no legal provisions for abdication under the Japanese law governing the status of the Emperor, and an abdication would have more practical effects as well. The Japanese year-numbering system will reset when the current "Heisei" era ends and a new one begins under Crown Prince Naruhito. The current law on naming eras stipulates that the new name is supposed to emerge only after the Emperor dies and the succession takes place.

◆unprecedented 　前例のない
◆step down 　退く、退任する
◆aide 　側近
◆crown prince 　皇太子
◆reign 　在位する
◆frail 　体の弱った
◆carry out one's duty 　職務を果たす
◆provision 　（法律の）条項
◆abdication 　退位、譲位
◆stipulate 　規定する、明記する
◆succession 　継承

Daily Vocabulary(2016/07/28）

18361.functional(機能の、職務上の、機能本位の、実用本位の、便利な、関数の）
A functional organization is the most basic organizational form.
18362.vim(精力、力、気力、活気）
He is full of vim and vigor.
18363.from way back(遠いいなかから(の)、はるか昔から(の)）
We're friends from way back.
18264.from all and sundry(ありとあらゆる人、みんな）
Finally he invited.from all and sundry to partake of the cake and all.
18365.futuristic(未来派の、未来派的な、奇抜な）
Her futuristic vision helped shape the company's mission statement.
今日の英語ニュースを聞こう！NHK WORLD Daily News

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Her futuristic