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Japan's Emperor Akihito says health is failing and hints at abdication Japan's Emperor Akihito says health is failing and hints at abdication
(about 2 hours later)
Japan’s Emperor Akihito has made a rare television address to the nation, expressing his fears for his health and his ability to carry on as emperor, and hinting that he wanted to stand down. Japan’s Emperor Akihito has made a rare televised address to the nation, expressing his fears for his health and his ability to carry on as emperor, and hinting that he wants to stand down.
In the 10-minute pre-recorded speech, the 82-year-old monarch said he wanted an orderly imperial family succession, stopping short of saying he intended to abdicate. In the 10-minute pre-recorded speech, the monarch, 82, said he wanted an orderly imperial family succession, stopping short of saying he intended to abdicate.
Public broadcaster NHK had reported last month that Akihito, who has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, wanted to step down in a few years – a move that would be unprecedented in modern Japan. Public broadcaster NHK reported last month that Akihito wanted to step down. No emperor has done so in the modern era, which began with the Meiji Restoration of 1868.
Once considered divine, Japan’s emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the “unity of the people” and has no political power.
Related: Japan's Emperor Akihito not preparing to abdicate, palace insistsRelated: Japan's Emperor Akihito not preparing to abdicate, palace insists
Before the announcement, it was thought unlikely he would state outright that he wanted to step down, which could have been interpreted as interfering in politics. Akihito has had heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer, and said a decline in his fitness levels had turned his mind to the future.
In his taped address, Akihito said: “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 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.
“There are times when I feel various constraints, such as in my physical fitness.” Once considered divine, Japan’s emperor is defined in the constitution as a symbol of the “unity of the people” and has no political power. Even expressing a desire to abdicate infringes on restrictions on political activity.
He did, however, moot the idea of appointing a regent who would be able to carry out the duties the emperor was not specifically able to to do. He appeared to suggest that in such a case the emperor would remain in title at least. Such constitutional restraints made the public address by Akihito a masterclass in the art of circumlocution.
“It is conceivable that a regent could be appointed,” he said. Reading between the lines, his choice of words also suggests that Akihito is looking to put an orderly succession process in place to avoid disruption to the everyday lives of Japanese people, and the burden on the other members of the royal family, caused by the impaired health and possible death of an emperor.
Akihito is said to feel strongly that an emperor’s full performance of his duties is integral to his constitutional role as a symbol of the people’s unity, according to monarchy experts. The period of mourning following the death of an emperor can take up to a year, but there is no respite from the public duties required of the incoming symbol of the state.
“The surviving family is inevitably placed in an extremely severe position. The thought that there may be some way to avoid this recurs in my heart,” he said.
In particular, Akihito said it was conceivable that a regent may be appointed to deputise for some duties, while acknowledging that under the present system the emperor would be expected to serve for his natural life.
Opinion polls have shown the vast majority of Japanese people sympathise with the emperor’s desire to retire, but legal changes would be needed to allow him to do so.Opinion polls have shown the vast majority of Japanese people sympathise with the emperor’s desire to retire, but legal changes would be needed to allow him to do so.
Shinzo Abe, the prime minister, made a swift response to the speech, saying the government would take the emperor’s remarks seriously. Speaking after the address, the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, suggested the government may be open to changing the laws to allow for a smoother succession. “We must carefully consider what is possible,” he said.
“Considering the emperor’s duties, as well as his age and the burden [of the job], we have to firmly look at what we can do,” he said. There are four possible routes for the Abe government now that Akihito has made his wishes as clear as they are likely to get under the existing rules, said Prof Naotaka Kimizuka, of Kanto Gakuin University.
“First, the PM might merely continue as before, with no abdication and no regent. In a second scenario he may appoint a regent,” he said.
“Mr Abe might also move to alter those articles of the Imperial Household Law that govern abdication or retirement, and fourthly, the government might use this as an opportunity to amend the Imperial Household Law in its entirety.
“For myself, I see Mr Abe taking options one or two, with number three being the maximum concession he would be prepared to make at this stage.”
Other observers believe it is time to give the man a rest.
“My take is that the government has little option but to make changes in the law for at least the current emperor to retire,” said Purnendra Jain, professor of Japanese studies at the University of Adelaide.
The idea of the emperor standing down has sparked opposition from Abe’s conservative base, who worry that debate on the imperial family’s future could widen to the topic of letting women inherit and pass on the throne, anathema to traditionalists.The idea of the emperor standing down has sparked opposition from Abe’s conservative base, who worry that debate on the imperial family’s future could widen to the topic of letting women inherit and pass on the throne, anathema to traditionalists.
Akihito has been cutting back on official duties recently, his place taken by his heir, 56-year-old crown prince Naruhito. Akihito has been cutting back on official duties, his place taken by his heir, the crown prince Naruhito, 56.
Naruhito has one daughter. Since only males can inherit the Chrysanthemum throne, the title after Naruhito would pass to his brother, Prince Akishino, and then to nine-year-old nephew Hisahito. Naruhito has one daughter. Since only males can inherit the Chrysanthemum throne, the title after Naruhito would pass to his brother, Prince Akishino, and then to nephew Hisahito, nine.
Others worry that devoting political energy to discussing abdication could sidetrack Abe’s push to revise the US-drafted pacifist constitution, seen by many conservatives as a symbol of Japan’s humiliating defeat in the second world war.Others worry that devoting political energy to discussing abdication could sidetrack Abe’s push to revise the US-drafted pacifist constitution, seen by many conservatives as a symbol of Japan’s humiliating defeat in the second world war.
Akihito ascended the throne after the death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the war. He has sought to soothe the wounds of the conflict in Asia and tried to bring the monarchy closer to the people.Akihito ascended the throne after the death of his father, Hirohito, in whose name Japan fought the war. He has sought to soothe the wounds of the conflict in Asia and tried to bring the monarchy closer to the people.
Akihito’s televised speech on Monday is only the second time he has addressed the public in such a fashion. The first was after a massive earthquake, deadly tsunami and nuclear disaster hit north-east Japan in March 2011. Akihito’s televised speech on Monday is only the second time he has addressed the public. The first was after a massive earthquake, deadly tsunami and nuclear disaster hit north-east Japan in March 2011.