Japan's Emperor Akihito, 82, Reportedly Considering Retiring

[jonny5]

Japan's Emperor Akihito, 82, Reportedly Considering Retiring - ABC News

Japan's Emperor Akihito has expressed his intention to retire and relinquish his title in the next few years, rather than reduce his duties as he ages, the country's public television reported Wednesday.

The 82-year-old Akihito in recent years has referred to his old age and admitted to making small mistakes at ceremonies, and the Imperial Household Agency has suggested reducing his duties, while giving more responsibility to Crown Prince Naruhito.

The NHK report, citing unidentified agency sources, said Akihito has told palace officials that he doesn't wish to cling to his title with drastically reduced responsibility or by arranging a substitute. Kyodo News agency carried a similar report quoting government officials.

Came across this interesting story recently, and a quote from the Japanese prince thinking about the point of the royal family. His thought was that their purpose is just to exist, and they could complete their duties by simply eating and sleeping.

This got me to wondering whether at some point the royalty could come to an end, and how. And really, why hasnt it? Do the Japanese care whether they have a emperor or not? How would they transition it? Would the family simply move to a private house, and the country could turn their office into history?

As an american, I of course reject nobility, and have always found its ceremonial existence perplexing.

Another interesting take - What Role Japan's Imperial Family? | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus

 

[Real Korimyr #9]

Preserving the Emperor is why it took two atomic bombs to force Japan to surrender, and even then, they would not give him up.

Maybe that's changed in seventy years, but I don't think there is any great swelling of republican sentiment amongst the Japanese people.

 

[ThirdTerm]

The NHK report, citing unidentified agency sources, said Akihito has told palace officials that he doesn't wish to cling to his title with drastically reduced responsibility or by arranging a substitute. Kyodo News agency carried a similar report quoting government officials.

Akihito cannot retire voluntarily as the Imperial Household Law stipulates that he may only abdicate upon his death. The administration of the Imperial Household is strictly governed by the powerful Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Family is living like a caged bird with little freedom. The Agency has been criticized for isolating members of the Imperial Family from the Japanese public, and for insisting on ancient customs.

 

[jonny5]

Akihito cannot retire voluntarily as the Imperial Household Law stipulates that he may only abdicate upon his death. The administration of the Imperial Household is strictly governed by the powerful Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Family is living like a caged bird with little freedom. The Agency has been criticized for isolating members of the Imperial Family from the Japanese public, and for insisting on ancient customs.

But they can do what they want. Its a ceremonial position. The Japense people or govt could simply call and end to it. The imperial family could call it quits.

 

[Abbazorkzog]

Akihito cannot retire voluntarily as the Imperial Household Law stipulates that he may only abdicate upon his death. The administration of the Imperial Household is strictly governed by the powerful Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Family is living like a caged bird with little freedom. The Agency has been criticized for isolating members of the Imperial Family from the Japanese public, and for insisting on ancient customs.

Oh, boo-hoo. Poor elites.

 

[Oozlefinch]

But they can do what they want. Its a ceremonial position. The Japense people or govt could simply call and end to it. The imperial family could call it quits.

It is much more than ceremonial. While the power of the Emperor is more philosophical than actual in law, do not doubt that they can guide Japan onto a course that no other monarch can do.

If the Emperor was to say order Japan to rearm, they would do so. Emperor Showa refuted his divinity under Shinto, but do not think the role is simply an empty ceremonial puppet.

You have to realize, this is a Dynasty that is over 2,600 years old. It is the longest Monarchy in the history of the planet, and the founder was alive and ruling when many of the chapters of the Old Testament were still being written. Emperor Jimmu was already on the throne when Byzantium was founded. Babylonia rose against Assyria, almost the entirety of II Kings took place during his reign. At the start of his reign, Romulus Rex, the first mythic king of Rome had only been dead for 50 years.

That is the dynasty that you are trying to marginalize. Obviously you have no idea on the influence the Emperor of Japan has on his people.

However, one interesting thing to me about this is the future of the Monarchy. Crown Prince Naruhito is the heir apparent. He is 57, and has only 1 child. Crown Princess Aiko.

And under the Japanese laws of succession, there can be no Reigning Empress. So if he abdicates, odds are that the throne will pass to his younger brother, then down that branch of the family line.

But do not fool yourself into thinking it is purely ceremonial, or that the Japanese People would want it ended.