The Imperial Household Agency (Pool photo)

The Imperial Household Agency on Dec. 8 released a summary of a Dec. 1 Imperial House Council meeting on the date of Emperor Akihito's abdication.

The summary posted on the agency's website quotes one member as saying, "I'd like His Majesty to mark the 30th anniversary of his enthronement on Jan. 7 (2019)."

A member reportedly said the public "should be able to celebrate His Majesty the Emperor's abdication and His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince's accession to the Imperial Throne in a calm environment."

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who chaired the meeting, proposed that the date of the Emperor's retirement be set for April 30, 2019.

The prime minister cited reasons including that it takes at least a year to prepare for ceremonies and establish relevant organizations; that nationwide local elections will likely be called in April 2019; and that many people move in the first half of April. The Imperial House Council adopted the opinion that the Emperor's abdication date should be April 30, 2019, as proposed by Abe.

The summary does not identify those who spoke during the session, declaring, "It is not necessarily desirable to disclose who made what kinds of statements."

The Imperial House Council meeting was held at the agency on Dec. 1, attended by 10 people -- including the heads of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the government as well as Imperial Family members.