IT is imperative to reflect on the emperor’s thoughts sincerely and use this occasion to discuss widely the role of the emperor as the symbol of the state.

The emperor, who has indicated his desire to abdicate, revealed his thoughts in an unusual video message released Monday.

Amid the rapid aging of society, the emperor expressed his thoughts about what he called “a desirable role of the emperor in a time when the emperor, too, becomes advanced in age”.

The emperor indicated his intention to abdicate by saying, “When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the state with my whole being as I have done until now.”

The constitution stipulates that the emperor “shall not have powers related to the government”.

In his video message, he said he “must refrain from making any specific comments on the existing imperial system.”

The emperor said, “I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually the emperor’s acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the state.”

Even if a regency is established, he said, “It does not change the fact that the emperor continues to be the emperor ... even though he is unable to fulfill his duties as the Emperor.”

These remarks convey to us the emperor’s belief that carrying out official events perfectly is actually the duty of the Emperor as the symbol of the state.

While respecting his intention, it is necessary to deepen discussions on the matter from a number of perspectives.

The emperor’s actions related to matters of the state, including convocation of the Diet, are provided for in the constitution. In addition to such acts, the emperor has been involved in a variety of events, including visits to disaster-stricken areas to encourage local residents and trips to pay respect to the war dead.

If the emperor becomes unable to perform activities energetically in the future, will he be unable to remain the symbol of the state? It may be possible to contemplate measures to lighten the emperor’s burden, by, for instance, entrusting attendance at various events to the crown prince and other imperial family members.

The emperor expressed concern that society will come to a standstill due to excessive self-restraint when the emperor’s health condition becomes serious. Can’t this be dealt with by the people refraining from excessive self-restraint?

Undeniably, there are a host of difficult challenges involved in realising abdication. Some people say that voluntarily stepping down from the Chrysanthemum Throne is inconsistent with the stipulation in the supreme law that the emperor shall be “the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people”.

If old age can be used as a reason to abdicate, the issue will not be confined to the reigning emperor alone.

There is also the issue of consistency, as the government in its response in the Diet has argued against abdication by pointing out the possibility of the emperor being forcibly dethroned for political ends.

These points must be made well known to the public. In a comment issued after the release of the emperor’s message, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said, “We must profoundly contemplate what we can do.” Discussions must be held thoroughly in such forums as an expert panel.

The Japan News

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2016