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Explainer | Japan’s Emperor Akihito abdicates, and Crown Prince Naruhito takes the throne
- After more than 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, Japan’s emperor will on April 30 abdicate for his son to take over a hereditary monarchy that has continuously lasted for centuries.
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After more than 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, Emperor Akihito will on April 30 abdicate and make way for his son, Crown Prince Naruhito, to take over the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
When the new emperor commences the imperial era to be known as Reiwa the following day, he will become the 126th emperor to ascend the throne in a family line the Imperial Household traces back to the legendary Emperor Jimmu, who is traditionally said to have become Japan’s first emperor on February 11 in the year 660BC.
Emperor Akihito has broken with recent tradition by becoming the first reigning Japanese monarch to abdicate for more than 200 years.
Why did the emperor abdicate?
His decision to step down was not taken lightly and attracted some criticism from traditionalists, but did not come as a surprise. Now 85, he has been visibly slowing down for a couple of years and has had a couple of health scares.
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He underwent an operation for prostate cancer in 2003 and was again hospitalised five years later with chest pains, an irregular pulse and internal bleeding. He underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in 2012.
His father, Emperor Hirohito, collapsed in September 1988 and there was daily media speculation about his well-being until his death nearly four months later. Akihito may prefer to avoid a similar media circus and he clearly has faith in his own son’s ability to carry out the duties of an emperor.
Has the present emperor’s reign been completely free of controversy?
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