Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government will examine how best to help Emperor Akihito. This comes after the monarch said in a video message broadcast nationwide that he was getting too old for his duties. Abe said he takes the words of the Emperor seriously and feels for his concerns.

He added that the government would think hard on how to help him. The 82-year-old emperor said he worried his age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties. His remarks are being seen as a hint the elderly monarch wants to abdicate.

A poll conducted by Japanese Kyodo news agency shows around 87 percent would support the emperor's abdication.