Japan's Emperor Akihito took to the airwaves Monday in his second ever public address to the nation to announce that he can no longer fully perform his duties as emperor, hinting at the possibility of stepping down as emperor of Japan.
The much loved figurehead is the 125th emperor in Japan’s history and he has ruled the country for nearly three decades. The move would mark the first abdication of a Japanese monarch in about 200 years.
Akihito tried to heal the scars left from the country’s involvement in WWII. He was different from his father, Emperor Hirohito who preceded him and is considered a modernizer who took an active role in reconciling the former victims of past Japanese imperial aggression.
He broke many centuries held traditions, married a commoner and brought up his children without a nanny, previously unheard of in the imperial household. Once acceding to the throne he was seen as the ‘people’s emperor’ and was often seen interacting with ordinary Japanese citizens. His popularity and compassion was displayed in full force during the terrible Tsunami in 2010 when he was shown sitting on the floor with the victims, something never done before by any emperor.
While stopping just short of saying he was about to abdicate, the 82-year old head of state expressed fears over his ailing health and ability to carry out his duties due to illness and old age.He has undergone heart surgery and has suffered from prostate cancer treatment which have weakened his system and slowed down his usual active schedule.
"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,” he stated in his 10-minute pre-recorded address.
Japanese premier Shinzo Abe said the government would ‘‘seriously’‘ discuss the constitutional changes required to enable the emperor to step down. There is currently no legal procedures existing for an abdication and such a move would need to be approved by parliament.
Although considered divine a long time ago, the emperor today is defined under Japanese law as a symbol of the state and has no political power and the desire to abdicate could be seen as interfering in politics.
It is expected that Akihito eldest son, 56-year-old Crown Prince Naruhito would take over as the next emperor when Akihito stepped down.