TOKYO, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese government set up a secretariat on Wednesday to prepare for the imperial succession scheduled in 2019.
The 26-member secretariat is headed by Shigetaka Yamasaki, former director general of the Cabinet Affairs Office, who is said to have good knowledge of the imperial system.
The secretariat will be responsible for overseeing the preparation and implementation of a number of rituals, including Emperor Akihito's abdication ceremony and Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the throne, according to officials.
It will also help set up this autumn a ceremonial committee led by the prime minister to be in charge of crafting ceremonial outlines, and the ceremonial headquarters led by the Chief Cabinet Secretary to coordinate government ministries and agencies.
Japanese Emperor Akihito indicated his wish to relinquish and hand over the throne to the crown prince in a rare video message in August 2016, citing his age.
Japanese parliament enacted in June last year a law to allow Emperor Akihito to step down and pass his duties over to Crown Prince Naruhito.
The law, designed specially for the current emperor, would allow Emperor Akihito to be the first Japanese emperor to relinquish the throne in two centuries.
The Japanese government approved in March this year an ordinance on holding Emperor Akihito's abdication ceremony on April 30, 2019.
Crown Prince Naruhito is set to ascend the throne on May 1, 2019.
