Japan is now poised to create a one-time law to allow Emperor Akihito to abdicate the throne in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, and so the official debate is turning to the finer details. In particular need of clarity is the appropriate title for a former Emperor and whether women should remain part of the Imperial family after marriage to allow for the continuation of the…
Japan’s ruling party to support one-off legislation for Emperor’s abdication
14th February 2017
It was announced this week that Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party have decided to support the creation of a one-time-use mechanism to legally allow 83-year-old Emperor Akihito to abdicate.
The decision was made after a number of meetings to decide the matter and is…
Although the Emperor of Japan is afforded no political powers by the Japanese Constitution, he still must attend to numerous other ceremonial duties, such as his opening of the Japanese National Diet earlier this year. Many of these are purely ceremonial, maintained out of a…
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito of Japan, opened the Japanese National Diet this Friday. Reading a prepared speech within the upper assembly, it marks Japan’s 189th Ordinary Session since the first Imperial Diet was opened by Emperor Meiji on 29 November 1890.
In accordance with the Japanese Constitution, it is one of the Emperor’s numerous duties to formally open the Japanese…
The traditional “Waka” poems, penned by the Imperial Family, and ten selected works from the public, were recited at the annual New Year event in the Matsunoma main hall in the Imperial Palace. The theme of this year’s poems was “no”, which…
According to a government source, the Japanese government has been considering the possibility of Crown Prince Naruhito acceding to the Chrysanthemum Throne ahead of schedule.
During a rare televised address last August, Emperor Akihito of Japan first alluded to a possible…
The Imperial Household Agency released a video for New Year’s Day showing members of the Imperial Family together. The video does not have any sound but it shows Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko, their two sons, Crown Prince Naruhito and Fumihito, Prince Akishino and their families. In the video. they are examining candy bowls created to commemorate the Emperor’s marriage and…
The Emperor of Japan will not release the traditional New Year message this year, which marks another step towards reducing his royal duties. Vice Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura on Monday said Emperor Akihito, who recently turned 83, has accepted a proposal made by the…
A record number of 33,000 people came to see Emperor Akihito’s birthday balcony greetings on Friday. It might be one of the last times the Emperor will appear in public as he has spoken of his wish to abdicate.
The previous record stood at 30,560 when the Emperor…
Japan's Emperor Akihito should be allowed to retire, says expert panel
19th December 2016
Emperor Akihito of Japan should be allowed to abdicate, according to a government panel. The panel of six experts was set up after Emperor Akihito made a rare televised speech in which he alluded to a desire to abdicate.
“I am concerned it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole body and soul as I have done so far,” he said.
The panel said it…
