Weight of history is now on Naruhito’s shoulders
- New emperor has to use his great moral influence to ensure Japan does not take a dangerous course as advocated by nationalists
Emperor Naruhito articulated his perceived position in Japanese society on his formal ascension to the throne on Tuesday. He pledged that he would “act according to the constitution and fulfil my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people”. What exactly that means will be better defined in coming months and years, but there are pressures from conservatives such as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for him to take on a different role to his predecessor. But what nationalist politicians want and what is best for the country, its people and the region, are markedly different and the monarch has to ensure he does not stray from the proven line of pacifism.
Naruhito’s father, Akihito, was a firm believer in the pacifism that forms the basis of Japan’s post-war constitution. Akihito, the first emperor in modern times to abdicate from the throne, made unity his main task, being quick to go with his wife to places in the country hit by natural disaster, leading to a sense of closeness to the people and high approval ratings. But he also made it his job to ease tensions with neighbouring countries that suffered from Japanese aggression during invasion and occupation before and during the second world war, travelling to the Philippines, Palau and Saipan and expressing deep remorse.
Abe and other conservative politicians cannot bring themselves to make such sentiments, instead wanting Japan to put the past behind through constitutional change. They seek elimination of the peace elements of laws so that the nation can have a fighting military rather than the present Self-Defence Force and by doing so, what they contend would be a “normal” country. Some also want the emperor to take on a more political role, a position presently forbidden.
China and the Koreas, which bore the brunt of imperial Japan’s hostility, are understandably alarmed by Abe’s moves. Naruhito has spoken of the need to remember the war “correctly”, although being born in 1960, he is the first emperor not to have experienced it. He has to use his great moral influence to ensure Japan does not take a dangerous course.