Emperor Akihito of Japan on Monday pronounced infront of tens of thousands of his citizens his traditional New Year wishes, which could be his last given the ongoing debate on an eventual abdication. This is his first wish since he announced in August his concerns about his ability to perform his duties due to old age. The imperial palace also broadcast a series of photos of the whole family gathered around the Emperor, on the occasion of the New Years.

The Imperial Palace announced that at least 58,600 people had attended his speech, some waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai!" ("Ten thousand years", meaning "long life"). "At the beginning of this year, I wish happiness and tranquility to all, in the world and in our country," he said in a televised address from a glassed-in balcony where several members of his family .

The 83-year-old Emperor fears that old age will prevent him in the future from fully exercising his role as a "symbol of the Nation". "Fortunately, today I am healthy, but when I see my form decline gradually, I am concerned about the difficulty of fulfilling my duties," he said in August. If he did not pronounce the expression "abdication", this wish filtered in his words and led to a national reflection on his end of reign.

Under the law governing the Imperial House, the Emperor of Japan is not allowed to abandon the throne of Chrysanthemum during his lifetime. Nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed a commission of personalities to reflect on the question of a possible renunciation, which would entail a transfer of the imperial title to Crown Prince Naruhito.