Japan’s Emperor Akihito takes exception to ‘just performing imperial rituals’
‘He clearly feels that all the hard work he has done since he assumed the throne in 1989 has been overlooked’
His words may have been indirect and diplomatic, but there is little disguising the anger of Emperor Akihito of Japan in response to comments by at least one member of a panel set up by the government to consider his abdication.
A leak from the Imperial Household Agency to the Mainichi newspaper has revealed that at least one conservative member of the panel attending a meeting in November said “the emperor should just perform imperial rituals.”
The member - who has not been identified - added: “the imperial family’s meaning lies in its continued existence and its performance of imperial rituals. To ask any more of a role from an emperor is inappropriate.”
Conservative panellists oppose abdication on the grounds that it would reduce the standing of the imperial system and were arguing that there would be no need for the emperor to step down if he would limit his public appearances and dedicate himself to imperial rites.
The sources close to the emperor - who stunned the nation in August last year when he used a television broadcast to announce that he wished to step down from the Chrysanthemum Throne - said he had been “shocked” and deeply displeased by the comments.
The source said “His Majesty was disconsolate,” the Mainichi reported.