A breaking news of Japanese Emperor’s wish
for abdication swept the country. According to the officials in Japanese
government, Emperor Akihito has been telling his families or officers that he
wanted to abdicate, if he would have to reduce his official roles caused by his
aging. It would be necessary for the government to consider reviewing Imperial
Household Law, which does not have a rule for abdication.
Akihito, 82, is on the throne of 125th
Emperor of Japan since 1989. After he had surgery for prostate cancer in 2003,
Akihito suffered from heart disease and had by-passed coronary artery around heart
in 2012. Although Imperial Household Agency reduced his official appearance to
events, Akihito kept on working as the symbol of Japan, visiting devastated area
in Tohoku region, attending memorial ceremony in Palau, or meeting foreign
guests in the Palace.
The reports explained that the Emperor did
not want to stay in his throne with reducing official events. Although
Constitution of Japan allows establishing Regency, Akihito still did not want
to continue his throne with his deputy. “One who can finish the duty as symbol
of Japan, which is determined in the Constitution should be on the throne,”
Akihito has been saying to his staffs for years.
To fulfill Akihito’s wish, Japanese
government has to change Imperial House Law or establish special law for it. A
secret team topped by Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary has been discussing the
legislation. “The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by a male offspring in
the male line belonging to the Imperial Lineage,” says Article 1 of the Law.
And Article 4 determines that “Upon the demise of the Emperor, the Imperial
Heir shall immediately accede to the Throne.”
Although it is not rare in the history of
Japanese Emperor, the Imperial family has not experienced abdication for these
200 years. It is a common notion that the Throne will be succeeded only when
the Emperor deceases. The officials argue that Imperial Household Law has to be
amended for the abdication. In the viewpoint of not reflecting political
intention of the Emperor under constitutionalism, there is another argument
that temporary law for this case is needed.
The officials of Imperial Household Agency
denied the report of Abdication. But, it is reasonable for an old man to pave
the way for his successors after his death. In the pressure of increasing role
as the symbol of Japan, in the great tragedy of natural disaster or dispute
over international relations, Akihito may have thought the Throne should be
stable and active. It must be the greatest challenge on Japanese democracy
based on monarchism.
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