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If Emperor’s intention is respected, we have no choice but to approve abdication. – Abe administration’s schedule to amend the constitution has been thrown off.
I’d like to praise NHK’s efforts only this
time. NHK has repeatedly reported Emperor’s “intention to abdicate while he is
alive” and gave an introductory comment that the Emperor would give a message
which makes us how he truly feels although he would never directly use the
expression of abdication due to constitutional restraints.
Today from 3 a.m. his Majesty’s message was
broadcast. In his message, the Emperor makes a negative comment regarding reduction
of official duty or establishment of a regent. If Emperor’s intention is
respected, it appears that we have no choice but to approve abdication.
Since the Emperor has indicated his
intention so clearly, the Abe administration would get confused because its
schedule to amend the constitution has been totally thrown off.
I have found out a *tweet which simply
summarizes the Emperor’s words using a few sentences. I suppose that the comment hits the right nail
on the nail.
August
8, 2016
Masatoshi
Takeshita
*Tweet (translation from Twitter - twitter.com/xerespm/status/762531643403841537)
@xerespn
Summary of how the Emperor feels:(1) Reduction of official duties is not real solution(2) Placement of regent is not real solution(3) Abdication upon the death of the Emperor places a heavy strain on the Imperial Family left behind.(4) I don’t directly say anything because I’m told not to poke my nose into politics. “You should do something about it!”
The above is how the Emperor feels.
Note:
Shanti-phula has indicated some parts of
the following text in black boldface in red letters.
Reprinted from Royal Household Agency Homepage – August 8, 2016 –
Message
from his Majesty the Emperor
Source:
A major milestone
year marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II has passed, and in
two years we will be welcoming the 30th year of Heisei.
As I am
now more than 80 years old
and there are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness, in the last few years I have
started to reflect on my years as the Emperor, and contemplate
on my role and my duties as the Emperor in the days to come.
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. While, being in the position
of the Emperor, I must refrain from making any specific comments on the
existing Imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual,
have been thinking about.
Ever
since my accession to the throne, I have carried out the acts of the Emperor in
matters of state, and at the same time I have
spent my days searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of
the Emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the State by the
Constitution of Japan. As one who has inherited
a long tradition, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to
protect this tradition. At the same time, in a nation and in a world which are
constantly changing, I have continued to think to this
day about how the Japanese Imperial Family can put its traditions to
good use in the present age and be an active and inherent part of society, responding to the expectations of the people.
It was some years
ago, after my two surgeries that I began to feel a decline in my fitness level
because of my advancing age, and I started to think about the pending future,
how I should conduct myself should it become difficult for me to carry out my
heavy duties in the way I have been doing, and what would be best for the
country, for the people, and also for the Imperial Family members who will
follow after me. I am already 80 years old, and
fortunately I am now in good health. However, 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 ascended to the
throne approximately 28 years ago, and during these years, I have spent my days
together with the people of Japan, sharing much of the joys as well as the
sorrows that have happened in our country. I have
considered that the first and foremost duty of the Emperor is to pray for peace
and happiness of all the people. At the same time, I also believe that
in some cases it is essential to stand by the people, listen to their voices,
and be close to them in their thoughts. In order to
carry out the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and as a symbol
of the unity of the people, the Emperor needs to seek from the people
their understanding on the role of the symbol of the State. I think that
likewise, there is need for the Emperor to have
a deep awareness of his own role as the Emperor, deep understanding of the
people, and willingness to nurture within himself the
awareness of being with the people. In this regard, I have felt that my
travels to various places throughout Japan, in particular, to remote places and
islands, are important acts of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and I
have carried them out in that spirit. In my travels
throughout the country, which I have made
together with the Empress, including the time when I was Crown Prince, I was made aware that wherever I went there were thousands of citizens who love their local
community and with quiet dedication continue to support their community. With
this awareness I was able to carry out the most important duties of the
Emperor, to always think of the people and pray for the people, with
deep respect and love for the people. That, I feel, has
been a great blessing.
In coping with the aging of the Emperor, I think
it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the Emperor’s acts in
matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the State. A
Regency may be established to act in the place of the Emperor when the
Emperor cannot fulfill his duties for reasons such as he is not yet of age or
he is seriously ill. Even in such cases, however,
it does not change the fact that the Emperor continues to be the Emperor till
the end of his life, even though he is unable to fully carry out his duties as
the Emperor.
When the Emperor has ill health and his condition
becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in
the past, society comes to a standstill
and people’s lives are impacted in various ways. The practice in the
Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of
heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events
which continue for one year. These various events occur simultaneously with
events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those
involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind. It occurs
to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a
situation.
As I said in the
beginning, under the Constitution, the Emperor does not
have powers related to government. Even under
such circumstances, it is my hope that by thoroughly reflecting on our country’s long history of emperors,
the Imperial Family can continue to be with the people at all times and can
work together with the people to build the future of our country, and
that the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the
State can continue steadily without a
break. With this earnest wish, I have decided to make
my thoughts known.
I sincerely hope
for your understanding.