According to Japan's TBS, August 8 marks the first anniversary of Emperor Akihito's announcement of his intention to abdicate before his death. On the same day, Emperor Akihito, Crown Prince Naruhito, and Prince Akiyo palace held a three-person meeting at the imperial palace. It is expected that in the future, the Japanese government will begin to seriously consider abdication and succession to the throne.
Emperor Akihito delivered his abdication speech
Once upon a time, Japan's imperial family was a very distant existence from its citizens. On August 15, 1945, many Japanese citizens were shocked to hear The voice of Emperor Showa for the first time on the so-called "Tame".
Since then, Emperor Showa's son, the current Emperor Akihito, has reformed to make the imperial family more accessible and become a "symbol of national unity in Japan," as stipulated in the Constitution.
It is reported that the Japanese government has begun to formulate a pre-mortem abdication law that only applies to Emperor Akihito. Emperor Akihito may soon abdicate,
Let's review 10 things about Emperor Akihito.
First, the family tree is very old
Emperor Akihito, born on December 23, 1933, is the 125th emperor of Japan. Its family lineage dates back more than 2,600 years and is the oldest surviving hereditary royal family in the world.
When Emperor Akihito was a child
Following the imperial tradition of attaching great importance to family rules, Emperor Akihito left his parents at the age of 2 and moved into the Togu Imperial Palace in Akasaka.
Second, break the royal marriage tradition to marry a commoner woman
In 1959, still crown prince, he broke with 1,500-year-old traditions and married Michiko Shoda, a commoner. Because the two met on the tennis court in Karuizawa, this good story is called "the romantic history of the tennis court" by the Japanese people.
Emperor Akihito and the Empress met on a tennis court
Today, the couple has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. It can be said that it is full of children and grandchildren.
Third, the enthronement ceremony took two years
In 1989, emperor Showa died at the same time that Emperor Akihito ascended the throne. The worship of Amaterasu, the ancestor of the Japanese imperial family, at Ise Jingu Shrine is part of the ascension to the throne, but this enthronement ceremony lasts for two years.
Emperor Akihito ascended the throne
Fourth, emphasize that you are a man and not a god
After Japan's surrender in World War II, Emperor Showa declared himself a "living god" and formally denied his status as a god.
The Constitution of Japan drafted by the United Nations Army (GHQ) after the war stipulates that the emperor is the "symbol" of the country. Emperor Showa also complied with this rule. Emperor Akihito repeatedly used phrases such as "as a symbol of the emperor" and "as a symbol" when expressing his intention to abdicate during his lifetime.
In fact, to this day, there are still a few people in Japan who believe that the emperor is a "god", or at least serves the emperor like a god.
Fifth, actively communicate with political leaders of various countries
Emperor Akihito has visited more countries than ever before, and has actively interacted with dignitaries from these countries.
In 1998, Emperor Akihito paid an official visit to Britain to quell protests from former British soldiers who had been part of the Japanese captives. He met with Queen Elizabeth and attended the dinner.
Emperor Akihito played tennis with former U.S. President George W. Bush
Emperor Akihito played tennis with former U.S. President George W. Bush twice, both times ending in a victory for Emperor Akihito.
Sixth, the health is worrying
In 2003, Emperor Akihito was replaced with prostate cancer. In 2012, he underwent coronary surgery on his heart.
One of the main reasons why Emperor Akihito decided to abdicate during his lifetime was his poor health.
Girls high school students upload photos to Twitter
Emperor Akihito frequently traveled the country to bring the imperial family closer to the people and talked to the citizens.
In 2014, Emperor Akihito was photographed by a female high school student during a private visit to Tochigi Prefecture, but the emperor did not show a trace of displeasure on his face. Later, the female high school student posted the photo on Twitter, which caused the Japanese people to talk about it.
Japanese girls high school students upload the video of Emperor and Empress Akihito on Twitter
Older people think it is disrespectful to the emperor, while young people think it is a very common thing.
8. It is a very important presence in Japan when it encounters an earthquake
On March 16, 2011, five days after the Great East Japan Earthquake, Emperor Akihito sent a video message to encourage the Japanese people.
The Emperor, who has always been cautious in his words and deeds, said in the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident that he "desperately hopes that the situation will not deteriorate again." ”
Emperor Akihito and his wife visited the disaster area in the second month after the earthquake, and the two talked with the victims at the shelter. It shows Emperor Akihito's desire to be close to the suffering people. The Japanese people were greatly moved.
9. Promote Japan's war reflection
During World War II, Emperor Akihito's father, Emperor Showa, launched a war in the name of Emperor. In contrast, Emperor Akihito guided peacetime Japan.
Emperor Akihito and the Empress participate in a memorial service for the war
On August 15, 2015, at a memorial service for the war dead nationwide, Emperor Akihito said, "Looking back on the past and reflecting deeply on the great wars of that time, I strongly hope that there will be no more tragedies of war in the future." Together with the people of the whole country, we express our condolences from the bottom of our hearts for those who fell into the war and sincerely pray for world peace and the better development of our country. ”
10. Fish named after Emperor Akihito
Emperor Akihito, who has always been passionate about marine biology research, has studied goby fish. A species of Akihito parrot tiger shark that is named after Emperor Akihito. Emperor Akihito also regularly contributes to academic journals such as the Japanese Fish Society's Journal of Ichthyology.
Akihito parrot tiger shark
Emperor Akihito, who is about to abdicate, can be said to be worthy of the word "Akihito", and he is an emperor who is both enlightened and benevolent. His hope now is that he will be able to live a peaceful old age after abdication.
This article is compiled from the BBC Japan News report on August 9, written by Orange, and edited by HaoJiangke