10 Things To Know About The Japanese Emperor’s Abdication
Japanese Emperor’s Abdication — Japan has been making waves in media outlets around the world with the recent announcement that their beloved emperor, Akihito, is stepping down from the throne. Normally, being emperor of Japan is a life sentence that can only be concluded with the emperor’s death. Due to special circumstances, Akihito has been allowed to abdicate the position instead.
Read on to find out all the details surrounding this change in Imperial succession protocols, such as why it’s happening, who will replace Akihito, what this means to the Japanese people, and more!
1. Why the Emperor Decided to Abdicate
It’s not hard to understand why Akihito feels it’s time to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne, even if it is unusual for an emperor to do so. Akihito will be turning 84 on December 23, 2018, and the years have not been as kind to him as they could have been. His health has been slowly deteriorating, and after undergoing heart surgery and a major operation to help treat his prostate cancer, Akihito started to have reservations about staying on the throne.
Confiding in those closest to him, Akihito worried most about not being able to carry out his duties as a symbol of the State to the best of his abilities due to his health concerns. After voicing his concerns and pleading with those in power, the government finally agreed to a one-time law that would enable Akihito to abdicate his position.
2. Who is his Successor
The Crown Prince Naruhito, Akihito’s eldest son, will be taking over the title of emperor after his father abdicates his position. Upon ascending the throne, Naruhito will become Japan’s 126th emperor, and also Japan’s first emperor born after World War II. His succession will usher a new Japanese era, which also means a new calendar for those living in Japan. His daughter, Aiko Princess Toshi, has created a debate on whether or not a woman could ascend the throne to become the Empress of Japan due to being the only child of the first in line to the throne. Sadly, such talk of allowing an empress was dropped the moment Aiko’s male cousin was born.
3. The Emperor’s Abdication will reset the Japanese Calendar
Although Japan uses the Western calendar that many people recognize and know, the traditional Japanese calendar that is commonly used on the majority of documents in Japan is based on the current era of the emperor’s reign. For example, the year 2018 is recognized as Heisei 30 in Japan, which means the 30th year of Akihito’s reign. The term Heisei refers to the era, and is not the name of the emperor. Since the current emperor is stepping down, the calendar will now have to change from Heisei to the new name of the era under the new emperor’s reign.
4. Making History
Akihito’s abdication took so much time and effort to get approved because the seemingly very simple act has not been done in Japan for almost two centuries. Akihito didn’t let such a little thing stop him, as he had already broken many expectations set forth by Japanese standards in regards to his life and reign. He was the first to marry a commoner, the first to raise their children at home instead of sending them away, and the first emperor to have been stripped of political power under Japan’s postwar constitution. Akihito is truly an emperor of firsts, and his achievements will certainly be a hard act to follow.
5. Akihito’s Past
As seen in #4 above, Akihito’s life has been anything but ordinary for someone in his position. As a young boy, he saw firsthand the effects of the war on his own country, and made a promise to himself to do everything in his power to protect his people and help them to recover. As a man, Akihito had to watch his father cling to the throne despite numerous health issues that brought the country to a virtual standstill. It was through these experiences that Akihito was able to understand both the importance of taking on his role and knowing when to step down. He and his wife had made it their life’s mission to mend the broken bonds between Japan and the rest of the world, which many people believe they have during his reign.
