82-year-old Emperor of Japan has hinted he wants to step down in a rare TV address

Akihito - who has been on the throne for 27 years - warned he may be too frail to carry on after having prostate cancer and heart surgery.
It is a landmark move for the oldest imperial family in the world, which was founded by Akihito's ancient ancestor Jimmu 1,400 years ago.
But modern Japanese law has no system for the 125th emperor to abdicate, meaning he could be caught in limbo.

He did not directly mention abdication in his speech but hinted strongly in the 10-minute message that he wanted to quit.
The move is in stark contrast to the Queen, who at 90 is Britain's longest-serving monarch and still going strong.
According to an official translation handed to the BBC, he said: "I am now more than 80 years old and there are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness.
"In the last few years I have started to reflect on my years as the Emperor, and contemplate on my role and my duties as the Emperor in the days to come.

"It was some years ago, after my two surgeries that I began to feel a decline in my fitness level because of my advancing age, and I started to think about the pending future, how I should conduct myself should it become difficult for me to carry out my heavy duties in the way I have been doing, and what would be best for the country, for the people, and also for the Imperial Family members who will follow after me.
"I am already 80 years old, and fortunately I am now in good health.

"However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now.
"When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people's lives are impacted in various ways.

"The practice in the Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events which continue for one year.
"These various events occur simultaneously with events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind.
"It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation."