TOKYO • The Japanese Emperor is a constitutional monarch and, under the Imperial Household Law of 1947 drafted by the United States after it defeated Japan in World War II, the ceremonial "symbol of the state and of the unity of the people".

While stripping him of his demi-god status, that law also cut the number of Japanese royals as a cost-cutting step for the then-impoverished country. In doing so, it removed 11 out of the 12 branches of the Imperial family, hence there are no royal males for princesses to wed today.

Emperor Akihito, 83, is the elder son and fifth child of Emperor Hirohito. He is preparing to abdicate in favour of his elder son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 57, who will be the 126th Emperor in the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, dating back to 660BC.

Emperor Akihito, who presides over the era Heisei (achieving peace), will be called joko (Grand Emperor) when he likely steps down next year.

Walter Sim