A Symbol of the State
Following recent reports of his wish to abdicate, Emperor Akihito addressed the Japanese public in a video message broadcast on August 8, 2016. In his message, the second delivered during his reign, the emperor spoke of his role as a symbol of the state and his hopes for that role going forward.
In the pre-recorded 10-minute speech, the emperor talked of how he had spent his days “searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of the Emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the State by the Constitution of Japan.” He also spoke about his health, saying, “I am already 80 years old, and fortunately I am now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now.”
The emperor’s desire to abdicate, due to concerns over his ability to complete future duties, was apparent in his words: “In coping with the aging of the Emperor, I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the Emperor’s acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the State.”
The emperor also alluded to how the passing of his father, Emperor Shōwa, in 1989 had affected wider society. “When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people’s lives are impacted in various ways.” He continued, “It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation.”
Supported by Citizens
As the Imperial House Law currently includes no provisions concerning abdication, the Diet would either have to amend the law or enact special legislation for the emperor to step down. While this appears to be the emperor’s desired outcome, he has refrained from stating so in plain terms. Under Article 4 of the Japanese Constitution, the emperor “shall not have powers related to government.” Consequently, Emperor Akihito did not directly use the word “abdicate,” so as to avoid making a political statement requesting such legislation.
After the video message, Prime Minister Abe Shinzō stated, “We are deeply considering the emperor’s words to the people of Japan.” He added, “While reflecting on his majesty’s concerns, we must give thought to how we can decide the best path forward.”
The Japanese media initially reported on July 13 that Emperor Akihito had expressed a wish to abdicate and relinquish his position to Crown Prince Naruhito, based on information from Imperial Household Agency and other government sources. In today’s video message, the emperor sought to express his thoughts directly to the Japanese people.
Most citizens support the idea of abdication. In a poll conducted by Kyodo News on August 3 and 4, 85.7% of respondents said they would accept the emperor’s abdication, while 89.5% agreed that he has too many official duties.
While Emperor Akihito makes numerous public appearances around Japan over the course of a year, it is unusual for him to express his feelings to the nation as a whole, other than at his birthday press conferences on December 23. Today’s video message was the second given by the emperor; the first was an address broadcast on March 16, 2011, five days after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Based on his desire to share his thoughts with international as well as domestic audiences, the IHA prepared an English translation to accompany the Japanese footage and transcript.
Below we carry the official English translation of Emperor Akihito’s address.
Message from His Majesty The Emperor
A major milestone year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II has passed, and in two years we will be welcoming the 30th year of Heisei.
As I am now more than 80 years old and there are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness, in the last few years I have started to reflect on my years as the Emperor, and contemplate on my role and my duties as the Emperor in the days to come.
As we are in the midst of a rapidly aging society, I would like to talk to you today about what would be a desirable role of the Emperor in a time when the Emperor, too, becomes advanced in age. While, being in the position of the Emperor, I must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing Imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual, have been thinking about.
Ever since my accession to the throne, I have carried out the acts of the Emperor in matters of state, and at the same time I have spent my days searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of the Emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the State by the Constitution of Japan. As one who has inherited a long tradition, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect this tradition. At the same time, in a nation and in a world which are constantly changing, I have continued to think to this day about how the Japanese Imperial Family can put its traditions to good use in the present age and be an active and inherent part of society, responding to the expectations of the people.
It was some years ago, after my two surgeries that I began to feel a decline in my fitness level because of my advancing age, and I started to think about the pending future, how I should conduct myself should it become difficult for me to carry out my heavy duties in the way I have been doing, and what would be best for the country, for the people, and also for the Imperial Family members who will follow after me. I am already 80 years old, and fortunately I am now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now.
I ascended to the throne approximately 28 years ago, and during these years, I have spent my days together with the people of Japan, sharing much of the joys as well as the sorrows that have happened in our country. I have considered that the first and foremost duty of the Emperor is to pray for peace and happiness of all the people. At the same time, I also believe that in some cases it is essential to stand by the people, listen to their voices, and be close to them in their thoughts. In order to carry out the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and as a symbol of the unity of the people, the Emperor needs to seek from the people their understanding on the role of the symbol of the State. I think that likewise, there is need for the Emperor to have a deep awareness of his own role as the Emperor, deep understanding of the people, and willingness to nurture within himself the awareness of being with the people. In this regard, I have felt that my travels to various places throughout Japan, in particular, to remote places and islands, are important acts of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and I have carried them out in that spirit. In my travels throughout the country, which I have made together with the Empress, including the time when I was Crown Prince, I was made aware that wherever I went there were thousands of citizens who love their local community and with quiet dedication continue to support their community. With this awareness I was able to carry out the most important duties of the Emperor, to always think of the people and pray for the people, with deep respect and love for the people. That, I feel, has been a great blessing.
In coping with the aging of the Emperor, I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the Emperor’s acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the State. A Regency may be established to act in the place of the Emperor when the Emperor cannot fulfill his duties for reasons such as he is not yet of age or he is seriously ill. Even in such cases, however, it does not change the fact that the Emperor continues to be the Emperor till the end of his life, even though he is unable to fully carry out his duties as the Emperor.
When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people’s lives are impacted in various ways. The practice in the Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events which continue for one year. These various events occur simultaneously with events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind. It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation.
As I said in the beginning, under the Constitution, the Emperor does not have powers related to government. Even under such circumstances, it is my hope that by thoroughly reflecting on our country’s long history of emperors, the Imperial Family can continue to be with the people at all times and can work together with the people to build the future of our country, and that the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the State can continue steadily without a break. With this earnest wish, I have decided to make my thoughts known.
I sincerely hope for your understanding.
Transcript (Imperial Household Agency website)
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/12#41
(Originally published in Japanese on August 8, 2016. Banner photo: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko prepare to return to the Imperial Palace from Hayama Imperial Villa, Kanagawa Prefecture, on July 14, 2016. © Jiji.)
