Japanese Emperor – level 2

17-08-2016 07:00

The Japanese Emperor Akihito has been on the throne since his father’s death in 1989. He is now more than 80 years old.

In a televised address, he says that he feels various constraints, such as in physical fitness. He said that he wishes to abdicate. He would be the first Japanese emperor to abdicate.

Most Japanese people understand his wish, but legal changes would need to be made to make his abdication possible. The Japanese Prime Minister quickly reacted to the news and said that the government would see what it could do.

Difficult words: address (a speech), various (of different types), constraint (a limitation), abdicate (resign, retire, step down).

You can read the original story and watch the video in the Level 3 section.

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