Japanese Emperor Akihito to abdicate after three decades on throne

[webfact]

Japanese Emperor Akihito to abdicate after three decades on throne

By Linda Sieg

 

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko greet the guests as they leave from the stage after the awarding ceremony of the Midori Academic Prize Friday, April 26, 2019, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS

 

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese Emperor Akihito will abdicate on Tuesday in favour of his elder son, ending a three-decade reign during which he sought to ease the painful memories of World War Two and engage with people, including the marginalised in society.

 

The abdication, the first by a Japanese monarch in two centuries, will be marked by a brief and relatively simple ceremony in the Imperial Palace's prestigious Matsu no ma, or Hall of Pine. About 300 people will attend and it will be broadcast live on television.

 

Akihito, 85, was the first Japanese monarch to take the throne under a post-war constitution that defines the emperor as a symbol of the people without political power.

 

His father, Hirohito, in whose name Japanese troops fought World War Two, was considered a living deity until after Japan's defeat in 1945, when he renounced his divinity.

 

Akihito, together with Empress Michiko, his wife of 60 years and the first commoner to marry an imperial heir, carved out an active role as a symbol of reconciliation, peace and democracy.

 

"I think the emperor is loved by the people. His image is one of encouraging the people, such as after disasters, and being close to the people," Morio Miyamoto, 48, said as he waited near a train station in western Tokyo.

 

"I hope the next emperor will, like the Heisei emperor, be close to the people in the same way," he said.

 

Akihito, who has had treatment for prostate cancer and heart surgery, said in a televised address in 2016 that he feared his age would make it hard for him to carry out his duties fully.

 

'SACRED TREASURES'

Akihito will report his abdication on Tuesday morning at sanctuaries inside the Imperial Palace grounds, one honouring the sun goddess Amaterasu Omikami, from whom mythology says the imperial line is descended, and two others honouring departed emperors and Shinto gods.

 

The abdication ceremony will take place in the afternoon with attendees including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Empress Michiko, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, as well as the heads of both houses of parliament and Supreme Court justices.

 

Imperial chamberlains will carry state and privy seals into the room along with two of Japan's "Three Sacred Treasures" - a sword and a jewel - which together with a mirror are symbols of the throne. They are said to originate in ancient mythology.

 

Abe will announce the abdication and Akihito will make his final remarks as emperor.

 

Naruhito, 59, will become emperor in separate ceremonies on Wednesday. Naruhito, who studied at Oxford, is likely to continue an active role and together with Harvard-educated Masako give the monarchy a cosmopolitan tinge.

 

Police have tightened security near the Imperial Palace, a 115-hectare site that is home to the emperor and empress in the heart of Tokyo. Media said several thousand police officers were being mobilised in the capital over the next few days.

 

Tuesday marks the last day of the Heisei imperial era, which began on Jan. 8, 1989, after Akihito inherited the throne. The era saw economic stagnation, natural disasters and rapid technological change.

 

Akihito officially remains emperor until midnight, when the new Reiwa era, meaning "beautiful harmony", begins.

 

Japanese traditionally refer to the date by the era name, or "gengo", a system originally imported from China, on documents, calendars and coins but many people also use the Western calendar.

 

(Reporting by Linda Sieg; Editing by Robert Birsel and Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-04-30

[Lucius verus]

Just another person who is what he is due to fate of birth. 

No member of  any Royal family ever earned their life of privilege and public adulation.

Another one is about to be born in the UK.

[Tug]

I for one wish him well and continued wellbeing for his country

[PREM-R]

13 minutes ago, Tug said:

I for one wish him well and continued wellbeing for his country

Me too.  Seems like both he, and his wife Empress Michiko, are well loved by the Japanese people.

[puck2]

3 hours ago, Lucius verus said:

Just another person who is what he is due to fate of birth. 

No member of  any Royal family ever earned their life of privilege and public adulation.

Another one is about to be born in the UK.

 

When I read your first sentence I thought of a "person" with the longest Pinocchio-nose, a POTUS ever has had. Rich only because of his fathers gifts.

You recognize that happens not only in royal families. Just one example.

[Hanaguma]

The Imperial Family are revered in Japan. They have little of the scandal and baggage that accompanies so many other Royals in the world, and act as an anchor to the past without petty political issues.  It's an important role in the modern world, the latest in a line of 125 generations to hold the throne. 

 

it's being treated as a bit of a holiday party here, a nice change from the usual "funeral to coronation" that takes place. Hopefully the Emperor and his wife can enjoy their last remaining years in happiness and rest.

[arithai12]

6 hours ago, Lucius verus said:

Just another person who is what he is due to fate of birth. 

No member of  any Royal family ever earned their life of privilege and public adulation.

Another one is about to be born in the UK.

ok you are right it's something you are born with not earned, but personally I do not envy them. Don't forget that in many cases it's also a life of duties, constant scrutiny, continuous service, sacrifice. Of course there are negative examples, but also examples of outstanding people who have really put the good of their people before their own. I think Akihito and Michiko fall in this category and I wish them well.

[puipuitom]

I hope they once can walk as freely around as the Dutch king and his family.

In Netherlands all kings/queens abdicted since 1815, only two died during thier reign: Willem 2 died when he was 57, Willem 3 when he was 73. 

 

Edited April 30, 2019 by puipuitom

[Mac98]

I wonder if Japan will help the USA rebuild after the devestation of Trump?