Japanese Emperor Akihito yesterday said his advancing age and weakening health mean he might no longer be able to carry out his duties, setting the stage for Japan to prepare for a historic abdication.
“There are times when I feel various constraints, such as in my physical fitness,” the 82-year-old said in a national address.
“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,” he said.
Photo: Reuters
Speculation about Akihito’s future emerged last month with reports he had told confidantes that he would like to step down in a few years, in what would be the first abdication from the Chrysanthemum Throne in two centuries.
“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,” he said, wearing a dark suit and sitting at a table in the pre-recorded video.
Akihito spoke obliquely — never mentioning the word abdication and stressing he is legally prevented from commenting on the imperial system — but analysts and media said his intention was clear.
“His majesty the emperor hints at abdication,” read a two-page extra edition by the Yomiuri Shimbun daily.
The comments would allow the government to begin creating the legal mechanism for a royal departure, which does not exist.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, in a swift response, said the government would take his remarks “seriously.”
“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.
Tomitaro Hashimoto, an assistant professor at Reitaku University, said while the emperor did not use the word abdication, “his message clearly called on the public to concretely consider the way for that in the future.”
“Legally, he can’t request a revision of law,” said Hashimoto, an expert on the imperial system. “That’s why he can’t ask directly.”
Any eventual move by Akihito to step down, which would see him replaced by his eldest son Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito, appears to have wide support.
A survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily published yesterday showed that 84 percent of people surveyed backed the idea.
Akihito has had surgery for prostate cancer and heart problems, both of which he alluded to in his address, though he said that he currently enjoys good health.
Public reaction to the speech was sympathetic.
“Since his majesty is getting so old, I was worried about his health, but he made his intention clear and the abdication issue came up,” said 20-year-old Ryota Utsumi.
“It gives me a sense of relief,” added Utsumi, who watched the address on a big screen in a busy Tokyo shopping area.
It was only the second time Akihito had spoken directly to the nation.
The first was in the days after the March 2011 triple earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster as he sought to calm a nation undergoing its worst crisis since World War II.
NO HUMAN ERROR: After the incident, the Coast Guard Administration said it would obtain uncrewed aerial vehicles and vessels to boost its detection capacity Authorities would improve border control to prevent unlawful entry into Taiwan’s waters and safeguard national security, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday after a Chinese man reached the nation’s coast on an inflatable boat, saying he “defected to freedom.” The man was found on a rubber boat when he was about to set foot on Taiwan at the estuary of Houkeng River (後坑溪) near Taiping Borough (太平) in New Taipei City’s Linkou District (林口), authorities said. The Coast Guard Administration’s (CGA) northern branch said it received a report at 6:30am yesterday morning from the New Taipei City Fire Department about a
IN BEIJING’S FAVOR: A China Coast Guard spokesperson said that the Chinese maritime police would continue to carry out law enforcement activities in waters it claims The Philippines withdrew its coast guard vessel from a South China Sea shoal that has recently been at the center of tensions with Beijing. BRP Teresa Magbanua “was compelled to return to port” from Sabina Shoal (Xianbin Shoal, 仙濱暗沙) due to bad weather, depleted supplies and the need to evacuate personnel requiring medical care, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Jay Tarriela said yesterday in a post on X. The Philippine vessel “will be in tiptop shape to resume her mission” after it has been resupplied and repaired, Philippine Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who heads the nation’s maritime council, said
REGIONAL STABILITY: Taipei thanked the Biden administration for authorizing its 16th sale of military goods and services to uphold Taiwan’s defense and safety The US Department of State has approved the sale of US$228 million of military goods and services to Taiwan, the US Department of Defense said on Monday. The state department “made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale” to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the US for “return, repair and reshipment of spare parts and related equipment,” the defense department’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a news release. Taiwan had requested the purchase of items and services which include the “return, repair and reshipment of classified and unclassified spare parts for aircraft and related equipment; US Government
More than 500 people on Saturday marched in New York in support of Taiwan’s entry to the UN, significantly more people than previous years. The march, coinciding with the ongoing 79th session of the UN General Assembly, comes close on the heels of growing international discourse regarding the meaning of UN Resolution 2758. Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the “only lawful representative of China.” It resulted in the Republic of China (ROC) losing its seat at the UN to the PRC. Taiwan has since been excluded from