Prince Akishino Wants Debate On Emperor's Age Limit

Japan's Prince Akishino, second in line to the throne, calls for a debate on whether the emperor should have an age limit to stay as the head of the Japanese state.

According to Japan's Imperial House Law, the emperor is succeeded by a male relative after his death. However, "when you pass a certain age," says the prince, "it gradually becomes difficult for people to do various things." 

Emperor Akihito, the prince's father, was recently released from hospital after a three-week treatment for pneumonia. The emperor has suffered from stress-related problems in the past and has also undergone a prostate cancer surgery.