In an unprecedented televised address delivered on Monday, Japan’s Emperor Akihito with references to his age and issues of health, voiced concerns about his ability to fully carry out his responsibilities within the context of his current role as symbol of the State and intimated his wishes to abdicate the Chrysanthemum throne. Emperor Akihito has not explicitly said that he will retire, but did state he was “worried that it may become hard for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now”.
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In his address on Monday, the emperor did not specifically say he wanted to abdicate but his speech was seen as an indication that he wanted to hand over his duties.
The emperor has served in his role since his father, Hirohito, died in 1989.
The announcement was considered by many to be a plea by the emperor to Japanese lawmakers, asking them to change the law so that he can step down. With Empress Michiko’s support, he defied the tradition and raised their three children while living under the same roof.
But it could take years for Akihito to actually abdicate the throne.
The vast majority of the Japanese appear to think that the country should honor Emperor Akihito’s wish to step down.
A pre-recorded message from the 82-year-old emperor, who is revered in Japan, will be made public at 15:00 local time (06:00 GMT).
No Japanese monarch has abdicated in almost 200 years, no law governs such cases, and the popular monarch’s retirement could raise delicate questions about a ban on female succession and the imperial family’s place in society.
Current regulation governing the Imperial household has no provisions for a living succession and will require an amendment or a special legislation to facilitate the abdication.
JAPANESE Emperor Akihito hinted at his abdication and the establishment of a regency in a rare radio broadcast yesterday. In the 11-minute long video clip, which is only the second such video statement the Emperor has ever made (the first was in 2011 after the natural disaster and tsunami), the 82-year-old made clear that this is his personal view.
Akihito stopped short of saying outright that he wanted to abdicate, which could be interpreted as interfering in politics.
In recent years, the emperor has suffered from declining health.
Akihito said the more than yearlong period of mourning and funeral events after an emperor’s death also places a heavy strain on those involved, in particular the imperial family.
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Allowing female succession is a touchy subject in Japan, with many conservative elements in society strongly opposing such a move.
