In Japan, members of a committee in the Lower House of the Diet yesterday approved a bill enabling Emperor Akihito to abdicate. <br/><br/>Last year he expressed concerns his advanced age may someday make it difficult to carry out his duties. The Emperor is 83 years old. The bill states the Japanese public understands and sympathizes with the Emperor's apparent wishes. <br/><br/>It says his abdication should come within 3 years of the announcement of the law and that it will only apply to the current Emperor. The bill will be sent before the Lower House today and is expected to become law next week.