Since the early 7th century, the Japanese emperor system has been in place since the beginning of the 7th century and has become the most symbolic political system in Japanese history.
The imperial system emphasized the legitimacy and sanctity of the emperor as a symbol of the gods, a concept that has become central to Japanese culture and national identity.
However, the actual political power of Japan's emperor in history was unstable.
In some periods, the emperor could directly hold political power and influence the development of the country. In other periods, the position and power of the emperor were replaced by other political entities, thus limiting the emperor's power to a symbolic position.
Over time, the actual interpretation and role of the emperor has evolved.
By the end of the 19th century, the struggle for power and the question of the role of the emperor reached its peak, which eventually led to the emperor's overthrow.
Japan's emperor began to lose de facto control of politics in the political situation of the late 19th century.
The Meiji Restoration of 1868 broke Japan's long-standing feudal system and handed over power to a new generation of leadership. In this new era, people began to question the actual nature and role of the emperor's power.
In addition, as Japan continued to modernize and industrialize, political and economic power was gradually controlled by government officials and conglomerates, replacing the political power originally exercised by the emperor.
This allowed the role of the emperor to gradually transform into a purely symbolic position.
On the eve of World War II, the emperor of Japan was considered a representative and supporter of Japanese militarism and expansionism.
In particular, Japan's continuous expansion and aggressive behavior in East Asia have led to the international community's boycott and sanctions against Japan.
As the symbol and representative of the Japanese state, the emperor's open support and tacit approval of the Japanese military government aroused international disgust and condemnation.
In 1945, Japan was defeated in World War II, underwent domestic reform and constitutional development, and the emperor was completely stripped of his powers.
The Constitution of Japan clearly states that the emperor is "a being who has only symbolic meaning and unites the feelings of the people." Since then, the emperor of Japan has become a symbolic position with no real political power at all.
This shift led to a change in the relationship between the emperor and the people.
Before the war, the emperor was seen as central to Japanese culture and national identity. As the emperor's power was weakened and symbolized, the emperor's status and role in the minds of the people also changed.
In addition, the overthrow of the emperor had a profound impact on the stability and development of Japanese politics. Although after the defeat of Japan, the symbolism of the emperor was greatly valued.