Japan's Parliament has passed a law allowing Emperor Akihito to abdicate, clearing the way for the first abdication by a Japanese monarch in nearly two centuries and the accession of his son. <br/><br/>The upper house of parliament passed the bill yesterday with a handful of lawmakers sitting out the vote. It was passed by the Lower House last week. The law is designed to allow him to hand over the throne to his son, Crown Prince Naruhito. <br/><br/>The abdication must take place within three years of the new law taking effect or it expires, and it only applies to Akihito. According to media reports, the abdication is likely to take place at the end of next year.<br/>83-year old Akihito indicated his desire to abdicate after nearly three decade on the Chrysanthemum Throne, reviving a longstanding debate in Japan over the issue of Imperial succession in the 2,000-year-old monarchy.