Japan's 'revolutionary' will step down Tuesday after more than 30 years on the Chrysanthemum Throne, leaving imposing legacy for his son
TOKYO — When Emperor Akihito abdicates Tuesday, he will become the first Japanese monarch to do so in more than two centuries.His reign has seen Japan continue its post-war modernization and win a bid to host the Olympic Games in 2020, but has also been marked by lows such as the economic crash of the 1990s and severe natural disasters.
“I would say that he is a revolutionary emperor compared to all of the emperors in the past,” said Makoto Inoue, a Japanese journalist who has written books about the imperial system. One of the ways he achieved this was by consoling the victims of Japan’s natural disasters, including the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdowns. Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko — who was a commoner before their marriage in 1959 — visited disaster shelters to support grief-stricken residents. In their travels, they also offered encouragement to the elderly and people with disabilities.
Inoue said that up until Hirohito’s death in 1989, “it was a taboo for the emperor to squarely deal with the war.” “Akihito ascended to the throne at a time when the mainstream consensus was that Japan should do more to promote reconciliation with neighboring nations victimized by Japan’s imperial aggression.”The Oxford-educated heir is expected to greet the public alongside his wife, Masako, 55, at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo three days later.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chicago could receive latest snowfall in 30 yearsWEATHER: A complex storm system developing in the High Plains brought strong winds and hail to parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas on Friday and part of it is moving east. Via ABC meteorologist DanManWX.
Read more »
Dow falls more than 100 points as 3M suffers biggest drop in more than 30 years3M reported disappointing earnings Thursday, sending the Dow down. The S&P 500 closed flat, with gains in the health care and communications sectors offsetting a drop in industrials.
Read more »
5 Financial Goals You Should Achieve By Age 30Half of Millennials expect to become millionaires at some stage in their lives, and most expect to retire around age 56. But in order to complete these ambitious goals (which come courtesy of a 2018 Millennials and Money Survey by TD Ameritrade), it’s important that they reach certain financial mile
Read more »
30 Cute Versions Of Boring Kitchen Products To Make Cooking Fun AgainThese products are both cute *and* useful — winner, winner, chicken dinner!
Read more »
Even 30% of older, wealthier millennials had help paying for their first homeEven 30% of older, wealthier millennials had help paying for their first home via CNBCMakeIt
Read more »