Akihito, Japan’s ‘emperor of peace,’ bows out
Emperor Hirohito of Japan — once regarded as a living god — declared via a crackly radio transmission to the nation the news of its unconditional surrender in World War I on August 15, 1945.
Among those listening was an 11-year-old schoolboy who had been evacuated from the bombing of Tokyo — his son and heir, Emperor Akihito.
For the emperor, who steps down at the age of 85, it was a moment that clearly defined not only his country’s 20th-century destiny, but his own future path as incumbent of the Chrysanthemum Throne.
During his peaceful 30 years at the helm of Japan’s imperial family, Akihito has perhaps been most acutely aware of one key task — to make amends for a war that was fought in his father’s name. And Akihito is widely regarded as having successfully guarded the pacifist post-war constitution under which his role is seen as “symbol of the state and of the unity of the people”.
Travelling overseas as the politically neutral figurehead of Japan has been a key theme throughout Akihito’s life, having undertaken 30 visits as crown prince and 28 as emperor — the latter almost always accompanied by Empress Michiko. In China in 1992 Akihito offered regret over the war, although he stopped short of apologising. He expressed “deep remorse” for the suffering inflicted upon Koreans during Japan’s 35-year colonisation of the peninsula and the war.
Akihito becomes the first emperor in Japan’s modern history to see his Heisei era (meaning “achieving peace”) end without going to war
Japan will officially begin a new era today when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends to the throne. It will mark the start of the Reiwa period (meaning “beautiful harmony”).