October 23, 1992, marked a further détente in Sino-Japanese relations, as Emperor Akihito of Japan, the first Japanese emperor to visit China, set foot on this ancient land of China.
The process of visiting China was carried out in an orderly manner in accordance with the schedule set before.
However, when it came to the state banquet, Emperor Akihito demanded that a "steamed hairy crab" be removed from the menu.
So, why did the emperor make such a request? Could it be that the emperor himself was allergic to hairy crabs?
Akihito succeeded to the throne, and the right wing was dissatisfied
The reason behind Emperor Akihito's move began when he succeeded the emperor. On January 7, 1989, Emperor Hirohito died of illness in the hospital, and his son Akihito succeeded to the throne.
Unlike Hirohito, who actively pursued militaristic aggression and expansionism, Akihito was gentle and kind by nature, and was generous and righteous. He believed that war would not bring happiness to Japan, but would only plunge Japan into endless brutality and bloodshed.
Therefore, after Akihito became emperor, he began to promote peace and anti-war ideas in Japan as emperor. However, at this time, it was only more than 40 years since the end of World War II, and there were still a large number of extreme right-wingers in the Japanese government.
These right-wing parties were militaristic, believed that war would be a long life, and that they were the emperor's most loyal subordinates.
The Emperor Hirohito, to whom they had been loyal, was the driving force behind the war of aggression against China and World War II. So, after they realized that Emperor Akihito, who succeeded him, would not stick to the traditional militaristic line, they began to feel dissatisfied with the new emperor.
Although they were dissatisfied, they could only stick to their mission and serve the emperor. After all, Akihito did not do anything "out of line" other than public speeches.
However, on April 13 of that year, Emperor Akihito indicated that he would visit China. When some right-wingers learned of the news, they were shocked and angry. Perhaps it was their opposition that prevented Emperor Akihito's visit to China in 1989.
Breaking down obstacles, the emperor visited China
After the visit to China was put on hold, Emperor Akihito began to actively look for a solution in Japan, hoping to fulfill his wish to visit China without agitating the right-wing party.
The year came 1992, 20 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and China.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Emperor Akihito once again proposed a visit to China in order to further consolidate friendly ties with China.
Although some extreme Japanese right-wingers still do not approve of Emperor Akihito's move, they are helpless. This is because the year before, the Chinese side had openly stated in an interview with a Japanese reporter that China would welcome the emperor's visit at any time.
Therefore, even if the right-wing party is reluctant, Akihito's visit to China is already the trend of the times and cannot be stopped.
Thus, on January 23, 1992, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko Shoda came to China together.
During his visit to China, Emperor Akihito said that he was deeply saddened by the damage Japan had done to China in the past, and that he would always reflect on it and would not allow the tragedy to happen again. After all, only peace can create future happiness.
Moreover, Akihito also said that although the current Japanese emperor no longer has real power in his hands and cannot truly promote diplomatic relations between the two countries, he sincerely hopes that China and Japan can maintain friendly and harmonious relations forever.
Emperor Akihito's speech touched many in the audience, but it also angered some Japanese right-wingers. They felt that Akihito was too weak and only knew how to curry favor with other countries. In their view, only tough militaristic means could maintain Japan's authoritative position.
Ask to remove and steam the crab
As a result, these right-wing members began to look for and create opportunities that would make Emperor Akihito make a fool of himself during his visit to China.
This is because the emperor represents the dignity of Japan. If you do something humiliating in public, you will lose face for the whole of Japan.
Therefore, as long as Akihito makes mistakes, then they have a reason to criticize Akihito, and even encourage the people to get Akihito to step down. Akihito is also well aware of the dark psychology of these right-wingers, so he is extremely cautious in his actions, and does not want to leave behind any rumors.
It can be seen that the emperor and the right-wing party are also secretly competing.
According to the schedule of their visit to China, Emperor Akihito and his wife went to Shanghai for a visit. After touring and watching the tour along the way, the emperor also entered the venue of the state banquet, surrounded by the Chinese government and officials.
Since this was the time when the crabs were fattening in autumn, the Shanghai government put a steamed hairy crab on the menu for the banquet of the emperor and his wife. Hairy crab is a traditional dish in the Jiangnan region, which has been put on the table as early as the Song Dynasty.
However, when Akihito saw the menu, he frowned and offered to remove the dish.
Akihito eats crabs and is methodical
When the relevant functionaries of the Shanghai government learned of the emperor's request, they immediately understood the hidden reason behind his request, and Akihito was afraid that if he was not skilled enough to eat crabs and appeared foreign, the Japanese right-wingers would definitely attack him with it.
Etiquette is very important for the Japanese. If you do something bad in public, it will be considered impolite. Moreover, the emperor, who is the image of Japan, cannot afford to make mistakes.
In addition, Akihito also knew that the Right Wing had installed its own people in his visiting team early on, and that as long as he showed timidity while eating crabs, the picture would surely be recorded.
At that time, it will cause an uproar in public opinion.
However, the Chinese staff rejected the emperor's request, saying that the menu had already been prepared and that it would be changed. Despite his refusal, Emperor Akihito was not angry.
Soon, the emperor and his wife were seated at the state banquet, and the dishes were served. Akihito saw the steamed hairy crab at a glance, and he immediately understood why the dish had not been removed.
In order to prevent the Akihitos from making a fool of themselves when eating the crabs, the Shanghai government asked the chef to remove the crab shell in advance when cooking the dish, and then take out the delicious crab meat completely and put it in the shell to steam.
Therefore, the emperor does not need to peel off the crab shell himself, he only needs to lift the lid of the shell and eat it.
So, Akihito skillfully picked up the crab meat and tasted it. What Japan's right-wing party saw was that the emperor behaved politely and finished the state banquet in a hurry.
It can be seen from the emperor's request to refuse to eat the steamed hairy crab dish that the Japanese right-wingers have been trying to find fault with Akihito so as to oust him from the emperor's throne.
But how could China allow such a trick to appear, it had already anticipated the intentions of the Japanese right-wing, and had made full preparations for it, so as to avoid any criticism of Emperor Akihito's visit to China.
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