Among Japan’s people there is mostly sympathy for the plight of Emperor Akihito as he signalled his apparent wish to abdicate by expressing concern about his ability to carry out his duties fully. He strongly implied so, though, by saying he is anxious that age may make it hard for him to carry out his duties, and noting that when past emperors became seriously ill, it brought society to a standstill and imposed a heavy strain on others in the Imperial family.
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“There are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness”, the 82-year-old said.
Akihito acquired the throne in 1989 and is Japan’s 125th emperor and records claim the imperial line has been unbroken for 14 centuries, CNN added.
In his message, Emperor Akihito did not explicitly refer to abdication, as that would require political and legal procedures.
Of course, it had been rumored for several weeks that Akihito wished to abdicate his position in a few years as his health continues to deteriorate and his energy for taking on projects slowly diminishes.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a staunch supporter of the imperial family, said he listened to the address and would give the issue serious thought.
His taking the throne would reopen the debate over Japan’s male-only succession law as he and crown princess Masako have only one child, princess Aiko, who under Japan’s Imperial Household Law can not ascend the throne.
“Considering the emperor’s duties, as well as his age and the burden [of the job], we have to firmly look at what we can do”, Abe stated.
Why can’t the emperor abdicate?
“He’s not allowed to ask a very simple thing, which is, ‘I want the law changed that would allow me to retire, ‘ ” said Michael Cucek, a political science professor at Tokyo’s Temple and Waseda universities.
The current heir to the Chrysanthemum throne is 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito, who has been gradually assumed monarchical responsibilities as Akihito cut back on his official duties.
The 82-year-old monarch further added: “A regency may be established to act in the place of the Emperor when the Emperor can not fulfill his duties for reasons such as he is not yet of age or he is seriously ill”.
According to a nationwide telephone survey by Kyodo News agency this month, almost 90 percent of the respondents said Akihito is given too much work, while more than 85 percent said an abdication should be legalized as an option to Akihito and his successors. He is said to strongly believe that the emperor’s fulfillment of his ceremonial duties is a necessary enactment of his constitutional role. Akihito took the throne at age 55.
He noted that he began to see a decline in his fitness levels following two surgeries-he had to undergo treatment for prostate cancer in 2003, and heart disease in 2013-which made him reflect upon his duties and future of the imperial system.
“He sent out a strong message that he’d like to hand over to his successor and wants him to stably continue the duties as the symbol of the state”, he said.
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Opinion polls suggest that the vast majority of ordinary Japanese sympathise with Akihito’s potential abdication.
