Japan’s Emperor Akihito celebrates his 83rd birthday, thanks people for ‘lending an ear’ to abdication wish
I am profoundly grateful that many people have lent an ear to my words and are giving sincere thought to the matter
His annual birthday remarks followed his rare video message in which he said his advanced age could one day prevent him from fulfilling his duties as the symbol of the state. Currently, there are no provisions in law allowing an emperor to relinquish the Chrysanthemum throne.
“In August, in consultation with the cabinet office, I delivered a message expressing what has been on my mind over the last few years, reflecting on my years as the emperor and contemplating on my role and my duties as the emperor in the days to come,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday ahead of his birthday. “I am profoundly grateful that many people have lent an ear to my words and are giving sincere thought to the matter in their respective positions.”
A nationwide survey concerning the imperial household conducted in November showed nearly 90 per cent of the public supported the idea of allowing the emperor to abdicate, while respondents were divided on whether the government should quickly decide on taking necessary legislative measures or carefully consider the issue.
A ceremony to celebrate the emperor’s birthday, the first such since the release of the video message, drew a record number of visitors to the Imperial Palace the same day.
The 33,300 in attendance topped the previous record of 30,560 in 2009, according to the Imperial Household Agency. The emperor, accompanied by his wife Empress Michiko, waved to the crowd from behind the windowpanes of the palace three times in the morning. “I wish you health and happiness, praying the next year will be cheerful and peaceful,” the emperor said in his address.
In the press conference, the emperor recalled his uncle Prince Mikasa, who died at the age of 100 in October: “The prince was one of the imperial family members who had experienced the second world war firsthand, and it meant much to me to be able to hear him talk of his experience,” the emperor said, referring to the late prince’s service in China during the war.