Japanese Emperor Akihito had expressed a desire to abdicate in August.
The 83-year-old Emperor of Japan, Akihito, has cancelled the annual year-end banquet as he is sick with a cold. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other dignitaries had been invited for Monday's banquet.
The Imperial Household Agency said on Monday that the Japanese monarch had developed a fever last week and is still recovering.
However, plans for his birthday celebrations have not changed. The Emperor turned 83 on Friday.
In a rare address in August, he had expressed a desire to abdicate citing health reasons. Consequently, a governmental panel is discussing a set up to accommodate his smooth abdication along with the possibility of allowing an Empress.
(With inputs from Associated Press)