Japan Emperor has a cold, cancels year-end banquet

In this photo released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Singapore President Tony Tan, second from right, and his wife Mary, left, are led by Japan’s Emperor Akihito, right, and Empress Michiko, third from right, on their arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Nov. 30, 2016. AP

TOKYO, Japan — Japan’s Emperor has canceled an annual year-end palace banquet because of a cold.

The Imperial Household Agency said Monday that Emperor Akihito had developed a fever last week and is still recovering.

Akihito turns 83 years old on Friday. Plans for his birthday celebration have not been changed.

Akihito had invited Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other top officials for Monday’s banquet.

Akihito expressed an apparent wish to abdicate in a rare public address in August, citing concerns that his age and health conditions may start limiting his ability to fulfill official duties.

A government-commissioned panel of experts is discussing a possibility of setting up a special law to accommodate his abdication, without touching more controversial issues, including a possibility of allowing a female emperor. CBB