TOKYO -- Having Emperor Akihito step down and a new emperor ascend the throne on New Year's Day of 2019 would be tough to pull off given the day's ceremonial significance, the Imperial Household Agency's second in command told reporters Tuesday.
"Speaking generally, Jan. 1 is an extremely important day for the Imperial family," Vice Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura said, referring to the government's discussion of succession on that date. "It would be difficult to schedule events related to abdication and accession on that day."
