TOKYO — A government panel studying a possible abdication by Japanese Emperor Akihito released an interim report Monday in favor of enacting special legislation that would apply to him but not to future monarchs. The panel is looking at how to accommodate Akihito’s apparent abdication wish, which he expressed in August when he cited concerns that his age and health may start limiting his ability to fulfill his duties. The panel’s final report is expected in the spring, while the government is reportedly eyeing an abdication bill adopted in several months. The six-member panel, after interviewing constitutional and monarchy experts, compiled the report suggesting that an abdication under a one-time law would provide flexibility in adapting to each emperor and social environment in the future, while setting a permanent system covering all future emperors would be difficult. The panel deliberately avoided spelling out a conclusion because “we wanted the people to think and discuss what would be best to relieve concerns of the Emperor,” panel chief Takashi Imai, honorary chairman of a powerful Japanese business lobby Keidanren, said after handing the report to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The government panel in its report avoids some heated issues, such as whether females should be allowed in the current male-only succession and concerns about a shortage of successors to the Chrysanthemum throne.