[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the fourteenth meeting of the Advisory Council on Easing the Burden of the Official Duties and Public Activities of His Majesty the Emperor at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, the final report of the Advisory Council on Easing the Burden of the Official Duties and Public Activities of His Majesty the Emperor was approved.
After receiving the final report, the Prime Minister said,
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the compilation of this final report today. As I said at our first meeting, this is a matter relating to the foundation of our state, and is a crucial issue in light of our long history and for our future. These thoughts have grown stronger as the discussions in these meetings have deepened.
Based on what was communicated recently to the Government from the compilation of the discussions that took place in the Diet, this final report organizes important topics such as the position and title of His Majesty the Emperor in the case of His Majesty's abdication.
Based on the compilation of discussions in the Diet, going forward the Government will exert every effort to advance the formulation of a bill to realize the abdication of His Majesty while referencing this final report and quickly submit it to the Diet.
You have all worked truly earnestly on this extremely important matter relating to the foundation of our state. You have completed this final report in the midst of the tremendous interest and great variety of opinions being offered by the public on this issue. This result is thanks to each person here, including Chair Imai, as you have all exercised deep insight based on your individual judgement, and had calm yet passionate discussions. The fruit of these efforts is something that only the members of this Council could have produced. I would like to express my heartfelt respect and, once again, my gratitude. Thank you very much."