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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/08/why-was-emperor-akihitos-speech-so-significant
Japan
Why was Emperor Akihito's speech so significant?
Monday’s public address was remarkable for its rarity and its suggestion that the emperor would like to abdicate
Japan’s Emperor Akihito makes a televised address to the nation.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito makes a televised address to the nation. Photograph: Imperial household/EPA
Martin Foster in Tokyo
Monday 8 August 2016 17.01 BST
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Japan’s Emperor Akihito expressed concern on Monday about fulfilling his duties as he ages, in a public address that was remarkable for its rarity and its suggestion that he would like to abdicate.
Why is Akihito’s speech important?
His speech was a masterclass in circumlocution, successfully conveying his wishes to the people without using terms, such as “abdicate”, or even “retire”, which would bring him into direct conflict with the constitution that allows him virtually no political leeway whatsoever, including publicly expressing his desire to retire.
The speech was seen in part as an attempt to explain to the public why he might want to bring his 28-year reign to an end, and presumably win public understanding when the time comes.
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Emperor Akihito hints at desire to abdicate
What’s the status and role of the Japanese royal family?
Akihito’s father, Hirohito, was viewed as a god, and the scenes of the general public people being summoned to listen on radios as they heard his voice for the first time in 1945, when he declared that the war was over, are a throwback to an age that the web-savvy millennial would find hard to comprehend.
Victor Teo, assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong, notes that the imperial family is probably more central to the ideals of Japan’s sense of nationhood than in other nations.
Unlike Queen Elizabeth II, who raises an independent income from the Duchy of Lancaster, the Japanese royal family has virtually no individual source of wealth, and relies entirely on the taxpayer to support it.
What are the political implications?
The fate of the emperor is politically sensitive in Japan, as it is likely to reignite debate over whether to allow female emperors and other divisive issues. Japanese media reports said the government may consider enacting a special law allowing Akihito’s abdication that would not be applicable to his successors to try and avoid raising thorny issues.
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What will be the emperor’s legacy?
Akihito has brought the Japanese royal family into the modern world. On the verge of retirement, and pleading age and infirmity, it is difficult to understand what a trail blazer he has been as the first fully-fledged “human” emperor.
Purnendra Jain, professor of Japanese studies at the University of Adelaide talks, of him as a man of “many firsts: such as marrying a commoner; acknowledging Korean ancestry plus his direct communication and connections with the people through his presence in times of natural disasters”.
In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war, he expressed his deep remorse for the actions of the Japanese military during the war, but this has been deflected by demands from nations, such as South Korea, for the development of a “correct historical awareness”, which appears to be call for a broader based reevaluation of actions during the conflict along the lines of that seen in Germany following the war.
Rightwing moves to tone down the language used to describe the Japanese involvement in the war will not help.
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What do ordinary Japanese people make of it all?
For many years any tittle-tattle about the imperial family was considered to be a taboo. And, while it is true that Japan is a long way from developing a Princess Diana complex about any member of the royal family, people have warmed to their more human elements, including reports of the apparent depression of Empress Michiko, which saw her stop speaking for extended periods of time, or Prince Naruhito’s complaints that his wife – Masako – was being mistreated by the authorities.
At the very least, the general public appears to be finally coming round to what it means to be the symbol of the state, and recognises the need for Akihito to take it easy.
Yuri Kobayashi, a part time worker from Funabashi City, near Tokyo said it made her realise that being emperor was not an easy job. “I realised that the emperor has given his best to each, individual public duty. I want him to rest now.”
Who is next in line to the throne?
Akihito’s eldest son – Naruhito – is heir to the throne, but may step into the breach, if, as his father called for, a regent is appointed.
It would be a common sense appointment. At 56, he is close to the age his father was when he ascended to the throne, and deputising for him could be considered as an apprenticeship.
The omens are good, while at Oxford Naruhito was famously photographed in his digs with a photo of Brook Shields predominantly displayed on his wall, and like his father went on to marry a commoner.
Japan
Why was Emperor Akihito's speech so significant?
Monday’s public address was remarkable for its rarity and its suggestion that the emperor would like to abdicate
Japan’s Emperor Akihito makes a televised address to the nation.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito makes a televised address to the nation. Photograph: Imperial household/EPA
Martin Foster in Tokyo
Monday 8 August 2016 17.01 BST
Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+ Share on WhatsApp Share on Messenger
Shares
0
Save for later
Japan’s Emperor Akihito expressed concern on Monday about fulfilling his duties as he ages, in a public address that was remarkable for its rarity and its suggestion that he would like to abdicate.
Why is Akihito’s speech important?
His speech was a masterclass in circumlocution, successfully conveying his wishes to the people without using terms, such as “abdicate”, or even “retire”, which would bring him into direct conflict with the constitution that allows him virtually no political leeway whatsoever, including publicly expressing his desire to retire.
The speech was seen in part as an attempt to explain to the public why he might want to bring his 28-year reign to an end, and presumably win public understanding when the time comes.
Play VideoPlay
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
FullscreenMute
Emperor Akihito hints at desire to abdicate
What’s the status and role of the Japanese royal family?
Akihito’s father, Hirohito, was viewed as a god, and the scenes of the general public people being summoned to listen on radios as they heard his voice for the first time in 1945, when he declared that the war was over, are a throwback to an age that the web-savvy millennial would find hard to comprehend.
Victor Teo, assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong, notes that the imperial family is probably more central to the ideals of Japan’s sense of nationhood than in other nations.
Unlike Queen Elizabeth II, who raises an independent income from the Duchy of Lancaster, the Japanese royal family has virtually no individual source of wealth, and relies entirely on the taxpayer to support it.
What are the political implications?
The fate of the emperor is politically sensitive in Japan, as it is likely to reignite debate over whether to allow female emperors and other divisive issues. Japanese media reports said the government may consider enacting a special law allowing Akihito’s abdication that would not be applicable to his successors to try and avoid raising thorny issues.
Advertisement
What will be the emperor’s legacy?
Akihito has brought the Japanese royal family into the modern world. On the verge of retirement, and pleading age and infirmity, it is difficult to understand what a trail blazer he has been as the first fully-fledged “human” emperor.
Purnendra Jain, professor of Japanese studies at the University of Adelaide talks, of him as a man of “many firsts: such as marrying a commoner; acknowledging Korean ancestry plus his direct communication and connections with the people through his presence in times of natural disasters”.
In 2015, on the 70th anniversary of the end of the second world war, he expressed his deep remorse for the actions of the Japanese military during the war, but this has been deflected by demands from nations, such as South Korea, for the development of a “correct historical awareness”, which appears to be call for a broader based reevaluation of actions during the conflict along the lines of that seen in Germany following the war.
Rightwing moves to tone down the language used to describe the Japanese involvement in the war will not help.
Advertisement
What do ordinary Japanese people make of it all?
For many years any tittle-tattle about the imperial family was considered to be a taboo. And, while it is true that Japan is a long way from developing a Princess Diana complex about any member of the royal family, people have warmed to their more human elements, including reports of the apparent depression of Empress Michiko, which saw her stop speaking for extended periods of time, or Prince Naruhito’s complaints that his wife – Masako – was being mistreated by the authorities.
At the very least, the general public appears to be finally coming round to what it means to be the symbol of the state, and recognises the need for Akihito to take it easy.
Yuri Kobayashi, a part time worker from Funabashi City, near Tokyo said it made her realise that being emperor was not an easy job. “I realised that the emperor has given his best to each, individual public duty. I want him to rest now.”
Who is next in line to the throne?
Akihito’s eldest son – Naruhito – is heir to the throne, but may step into the breach, if, as his father called for, a regent is appointed.
It would be a common sense appointment. At 56, he is close to the age his father was when he ascended to the throne, and deputising for him could be considered as an apprenticeship.
The omens are good, while at Oxford Naruhito was famously photographed in his digs with a photo of Brook Shields predominantly displayed on his wall, and like his father went on to marry a commoner.
