Pictured Emperor Akihito of Japan.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
Monday, 8 August 2016: His Imperial Majesty The Emperor of Japan, the world’s only remaining monarch bearing an imperial title, addressed his people in a 11-minutes pre-recorded allocution for national television. This occasion was but his second public speech to the Japanese since the beginning of his reigning era (Heisei) on 7 January 1989. The first address took place in 2011 after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami as well as the Fukushima I nuclear reactor subsequent crises.
The Reigning Emperor hinted at his desire to step down due to the fact that he “struggles with age and poor health”. Hence he is unable to cope with his duties as ceremonial head and symbol of the state.
The move was rather unorthodox for a monarch who is not permitted to intervene in politics yet in principle he pleaded to the nation for a change in the Imperial Household Law of 1947, which does not foresee abdications. Therefore the Diet must amend the latter law in order to allow The Reigning Emperor to abdicate in favour of the Crown Prince. Such an amendment could also reopen the discussion on allowing female succession as the Crown Prince sired but a daughter, HIH The Princess Toshi.
According to the current constitution the Emperor is “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people”, nevertheless, he lacks in political or sovereign powers.
For more information:
Imperial Household Agency (message from HIM The Reigning Emperor): http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/12#41
