Wanting to look for a new way an emperor should be while accepting the Emperor's official duties and thoughts resolutely -- such quiet determination seemed to be indicated in every word the crown prince uttered.
The crown prince turned 58 on Friday. He referred to the Emperor's planned abdication and his own future accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne during a news conference, saying, "I felt anew deep emotion and the sense of reverence for the road of life the Emperor and the Empress have taken."
Concerning his own future, the crown prince said: "I will make self-improvement efforts while doing my duties at the same time," and "Thinking about duties to respond to social changes and taking action are also what the Imperial family of the times should do."
His thought is to pursue the ideal role of an emperor as the constitutionally defined symbol of Japan while having contact with many people. Much of the public must have felt sympathy with him.
Regarding the continued recuperation efforts by Crown Princess Masako, who is to become the new empress, the crown prince clearly cared about her health, saying, "I want her to not feel pressed and to expand the range of her activities prudently." It is hoped that she will increase her official duties while taking care of her physical condition.
From now, it is imperative to carry out without delay a series of preparations for a smooth transfer to a new emperor.
The government preparatory committee for a series of ceremonies related to the Emperor's abdication has decided the "Taiirei Seiden no Gi" abdication ceremony for the Emperor will be held on April 30, 2019, as a state act of the Emperor based on the Constitution. This is a reasonable judgment because it is a crucial ceremony.
Govt must mull role of joko
A ceremony in which the Emperor declares the transfer of the throne to the crown prince will not be held. Instead, the prime minister on behalf of the people will declare the Emperor's abdication. This is intended to avoid a situation in which the Emperor steps down of his own will.
This is an appropriate procedure in light of Article 4 of the Constitution, which states, "The Emperor ... shall not have powers related to government."
The "Rikkoshi no Rei" ceremony, in which Prince Akishino will be proclaimed first in line to the throne, will also be held in matters of state in 2020. Serious consideration must have been given to his new title "koshi," which is equivalent to crown prince.
The preparatory committee will put together a basic plan on ceremonies in mid-March. It is necessary for the panel to draw a conclusion that will be understandable to the people after it holds thorough discussions on such matters as the scale of the "Kyoen no Gi" ceremony to introduce the new emperor's accession.
The government should discuss the content of activities to be conducted by the joko, the post the Emperor will assume after abdication, and present its policy on the matter.
As to the timing of the announcement of the name of the new era, the government is considering delaying it beyond its originally scheduled time to the end of this year or later. This seems to be because the government was concerned about the people's interest shifting to the new emperor too rapidly.
Changing the name of an era will exert an impact on society as a whole, including modifications of computer systems. To avoid confusion in people's lives and to carry out without trouble various preparations related to the change of the era's name, it is desirable for the new era's name to be made public as early as possible.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 24, 2018)
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