Japan's Emperor Akihito could abdicate at the end of 2018 and allow his eldest son, Prince Naruhito, to ascend the Chrysanthemum throne.

The emperor, who turned 83 years last month, hinted in August that he is planning to retire after saying that he is concerned that his age could impede his ability to carry out royal duties. In a rare televised interview, Akihito said that he wanted an orderly imperial succession, in words that could be cautiously interpreted as a desire to abdicate the throne.

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"I am concerned it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole body and soul as I have done so far," he said.

Current Japanese laws do not allow abdication, but last month, a panel of experts said it was willing to support special legislation that will allow Akihito to step down without conditions.

There is strong public empathy for Akihito, and the Japanese government is drawing up measures that would allow Crown Prince Naruhito to ascend the throne and become the country's 126th emperor.

On Tuesday, Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said that he was not aware that discussions on Akihito's possible abdication were at such an advanced stage. He added that the experts are prioritizing lightening Akihito's burden in their discussions.

"Things are still at a stage where no direction has emerged," the minister said.

Akihito underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2003. He later had a heart bypass operation in 2012. He was hospitalized with pneumonia in 2011.

Akihito ascended the throne in 1989 after the death of his father, Hirohito.

TagsEmperor Akihito, Japan, Asia