Japan's emperor worries age may make it tough to perform his duties

Japanese Emperor Akihito, 82, said in a rare video address to the public on Monday that he is worried that age may make it difficult for him to fully carry out his duties. In nationally televised remarks, Akihito also said there were limits to reducing the emperor's duties as the "symbol of the state", the status accorded to the monarch under Japan's post-war constitution. "I am already 80 years old, and fortunately I am now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties with my whole being as the symbol of the state, as I have done until now," he said.  Concerning the Emperor's message, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government will look in to how best to help the Emperor. "I take seriously the words of the Emperor that have just been broadcast to the nation". "I feel for his concerns and we should think hard what we can do to help," Abe said.