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Japan: abdication of Emperor Akihito suggests

That the Emperor assigns, and is not provided for in the Japanese Constitution. Akihito speaks but, at the proud age of 82 years, is now on its discount forces. He wants to bequeath his office to his oldest son?

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Abdication of the Japanese Emperor indicated

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It is rare enough that the Japanese Emperor Akihito holds a televised address. And that is the abdication of the Emperor suggests, is a more exceptional process. Akihito has now hinted in a speech to his people the unthinkable. His power to leave gradually, said the 82-Year-old. He was worried whether he could perform his duties as before. The Emperor said, however, about ten minutes long speech, specifically, to want to abdicate.

In this point, the mighty Monarch is, in fact, quite powerless. As a abdication in the Japanese succession law is currently, this would have to be changed once. In the Imperial hierarchy, it is provided that Akihito’s eldest son crown Prince Naruhito (56), according to him, the Emperor. But not ahead of time.

Crown Prince Naruhito with his wife and daughter

For the head of state is of importance, that his Statements be understood as an unacceptable interference in the policy. In the modern history of the country, it has never happened before, that one of the monarchs abdicated. While polls show that most Japanese would have understanding for such a step, Reports from Tokyo indicate that many Conservative Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

And then a woman would perhaps….

They fear, for example, a debate about whether women should be allowed to ascend the throne. Breaking a taboo for the traditionalists! Government chief Shinzo Abe, said after the speech that he take Akihito’s Comments seriously. You have to think about what could be done given his age.

Not equal to God!

In the past month, the public broadcaster NHK reported Akihito wool abdicate in a few years. The Emperor already has a heart surgery and was treated for prostate cancer. Therefore, the “Tenno had driven” his obligations as a Monarch, least of all back and more often of crown Prince Naruhito represented. The is now 56 years old and has a daughter!

Japanese emperors were once worshipped as equal with God. About the political Power of the “Tenno don’t”, but it is according to the Constitution, a Symbol of the state and the unity of the people. Akihito is the first Tenno, came to office as a God. In 1989, a deceased father, Emperor Hirohito, had to renounce after the defeat in the Second world war, the divinity of the Emperor.

ml/kle (dpa, rtr)