生前退位 (shēngqián tuìwèi):Abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne during emperor's lifetime

Emperor Akihito delivered a 10-minute televised address to the Japanese people on Monday, in which he hinted that he wished to abdicate due to his failing health.

The 82-year-old emperor said that following two surgeries within the past few years, he began to feel the pressure of undertaking his official duties, and noted this had caused him to think about the future direction of the Imperial Family. He hinted at a possible transition in the future that would be in line with "the will of the people" and cause as little disruption to the nation as possible.

"When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now," said the Japanese emperor.

Analysts believe that the speech shows the Japanese emperor has a clear sense of crisis, mainly rooted in the moves by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the political conservatives he leads to amend Japan's Constitution.

At least two major changes in the new draft Constitution announced by Abe's Liberal Democrats defy Emperor Akihito's long-time commitments.

Re-arming Japan challenges the emperor's consistent support for an in-depth reflection on the war, while upgrading the emperor to the head of state contradicts his devotion over the past 28 years to his role being ceremonial, particularly as phrase "symbol of the state" is used in the title of the published text.

Since Abe's constitutional changes would revise the status of the emperor, Emperor Akihito's message can be seen as a defense of the existing Constitution.