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JAPAN-ROYALS
Japanese emperor stresses his peaceful reign ahead of abdication
TOKYO, Dec 23, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – In a rare emotional address ahead of his
abdication next year, Japanese Emperor Akihito said he took “deep comfort”
that his long reign had been one of peace as he remembered the “countless
lives” lost in World War II.
Akihito, in a pre-recorded speech to mark his 85th birthday Sunday, also
paid tribute to the Japanese people and Empress Michiko, the first commoner
to join the tradition-bound imperial family who has been at his side for 60
years.
His voice trembling as he discussed the legacy of World War II, the emperor
pointed to the “countless lives” lost in the conflict, which was fought under
the name of his father Hirohito, who died in 1989.
Akihito also reiterated the importance of “accurately” teaching history to
young people.
“I have believed it is important not to forget that countless lives were
lost in World War II and that the peace and prosperity of post-war Japan was
built upon the numerous sacrifices and tireless efforts made by the Japanese
people, and to pass on this history accurately to those born after the war,”
he said.
“It gives me deep comfort that the Heisei Era (his reign) is coming to an
end, free of war in Japan,” he said.
During his reign, the soft-spoken Akihito has used his speeches and travels
to express his strong pacifist views, which are sharply at odds with the
aggressive expansionism Japan pursued under his father’s rule.
His insistence on remembering history is in sharp contrast with
conservative ideologues who have attempted to gloss over Japan’s wartime
record.
The widely adored emperor will next year become the first Japanese royal to
abdicate in more than two centuries.
His eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito will ascend the Chrysanthemum throne
on May 1.
Akihito said his reign had been a quest to determine the role of the
emperor as a “symbol of the state” under Japan’s pacifist post-war
constitution, in contrast to his father Hirohito who was regarded as semi-
divine.
And he thanked Empress Michiko for standing by his side.
“As I come to the end of my journey as emperor, I would like to thank from
the bottom of my heart the many people who accepted and continued to support
me as the symbol of the state,” he said, his voice quavering.
“I am also truly grateful to the empress, who herself was once one of the
people, but who chose to walk this path with me, and over 60 long years
continued to serve with great devotion both the imperial family and the
people of Japan.”
Akihito has worked to bring the royal household closer to the people and
frequently visited the disadvantaged and families hit by natural disasters.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1439 hrs