Mainichi Shimbun reported on Sunday that
Emperor Akihito was deeply shocked by an argument of conservative members in
the experts meeting on Emperor’s abdication, which had been requiring Emperor
nothing but praying for the nation. Akihito was also disappointed with the
argument of temporary legislation of abdication only applied to him.
Misunderstanding or ignoring true intention of the Emperor, Shinzo Abe
administration is paving a way for Akihito to retire at the end of next year.
Abe administration established the meeting
for discussing abdication after Akihito announced his willingness to retire
from official works, concerning his insufficiency caused by aging. Six experts
selected by Abe submitted their conclusion this April that was recommending
special law only applied to Akihito, defying the option of changing Imperial
House Law required by Constitution of Japan.
Through the discussion over the issue, the
conservatives have basically been negative on abdication itself. In the hearing
last November, some conservative scholars such as Professor Emeritus of
University of Tokyo, Sukehiro Hirakawa, or Professor Emeritus of Sophia
University, Shoichi Watanabe, argued that Akihito did not need to abdicate by
dealing only with ritual ceremony and reducing his burden like visiting and
encouraging devastated people in Tohoku. “The value of Imperial House rests on
being succeeded and praying. It is questionable to think other things as the
role of emperor,” told those conservative scholars.
Mainichi quoted frustration of the staffs
of Imperial Household Agency. “His Majesty deeply regretted it. Didn’t they
know what His Majesty has been doing?” told a staff of IHA to Mainichi. One who
had long and close relationship with Akihito told Mainichi that the argument
was rude to the Emperor. One senior staff of IHA recognized the conservative
argument as totally dismissing Akihito’s lifestyle. “His Majesty does not praying
abstractly. Facing the people one by one becomes blood and flesh of praying for
their peace and comfort. Without those activities, his praying will be empty,”
said an IHA senior staff.
The conservatives misunderstood the issue
on two points. Firstly, Emperor’s role of praying is a concept of Imperialism
in the time its authority was connected with religion. Now, authority of
Emperor comes not from religion but Constitution of Japan which defines Emperor
to be the symbol of the state. Another is that praying is not so easy as they
think. Before Grand Harvest Festival every year, Emperor has to clean up his
body with hot water. For aged Emperor, there is not difference between praying
for the nation and playing his role as state symbol.
No comments:
Post a Comment