Japan Standing on the Edge of a New Era 2019

Japan, newly formed after World War II, is entering a new era with the transfer of traditional political power. An observation of Japanese political space on this occasion.

Photo (https://unsplash.com/photos/alY6_OpdwRQ)

The current Emperor of Japan, Akihito, is leaving a legacy for his successor, Naruhito.

Japan Standing on the Edge of a New Era 2019. Japan's current emperor Akihito is stepping down on April 30. On May 1, his eldest son, Prince Naruhito, will be crowned. This is the first time in Japan's 200-year history that an emperor has stepped down. The event marks the formal end of the Hessian era, which lasted from 1989 to April 30 this year.

The transfer of power from the Hesi era to the new Rewa era is a milestone in Japan's post-war history and politics. The declining emperor Akihito has left an indelible mark on the screen of time. The legacy they left behind is a new standard they set for their successors. Naruhito does not have the bitter memories of the inhuman persecution that Japan and its citizens suffered during World War II. Born in 1934, it has become a bridge between pre-war Japan and post-war Japan. During the war they had to take refuge outside Tokyo. When they returned to Tokyo after the war ended, they saw that the city was in ruins. In 1945, Japan surrendered completely. He was only 11 then, Yet he had an idea of ​​the dire situation the country was going through. During the initial allied professional period (1945-52), the general system of the monarchy was greatly affected, especially the young prince. The first was related to the fact that the Allied Business Council, headed by General Douglas MacArthur, decided to continue the monarchical system. The votes of the members of Vijayi Sahyog Mandal were divided. But from the beginning, MacArthur wanted a monarchy as a symbol of national unity. They wanted a “humanitarian monarchy” that would keep the country united. Along with the new constitution of 1947, he enacted a number of effective measures to free the emperor from the divine circle that had kept him away from the people of the country for decades. The second thing is, It was the Allied Board officials who paid special attention to the fact that the personality of the young Akihito should be nurtured in a liberal environment. He hired an American teacher, Elizabeth Gray Winning, to introduce him to the English language and Western culture. Lady Winning has been instrumental in shaping the personality of the young Akihito at a very difficult time in her life.

In 1989, at the age of 55, Akihito became emperor. He was the first emperor to "symbolize the unity of state and people" in Japan's post-war constitution. During his 30-year tenure, he insisted on the role assigned to him by the Constitution, stating that "the Emperor shall exercise his authority only in certain matters of the State as stated in this Constitution and shall have no relation to matters relating to the Government."

Despite the limitations set by the Constitution, Emperor Akihito will always be remembered for the legacy he created in three to four areas. First of all, he tried to bridge the gap between the people and the emperor in his own peaceful and dignified way, trying to restructure the role of the emperor. In this sense, the people of Japan refer to him as the "Emperor of the People." Breaking with the Karmath tradition of marriages taking place in a specific royal family within the royal family, he married Mishiko Shoda, a woman from an ordinary family who met him on the tennis court. Following in their footsteps, both their sons also married girls from ordinary families.

Second, because of his strong desire to connect with the general public, he traveled to all 47 states in Japan. During his Hessian reign, natural disasters befell Japan several times. Japan was hit by a natural disaster, such as the 1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake. Emperor Akihito and Empress Mishiko visited the disaster-stricken region and tried to provide support and assistance to the victims. When the country was hit by a triple crisis in 2011, such as the earthquake, the tsunami and the nuclear accident at Fukushima, Akihito took the extraordinary step of addressing the nation's chain of events. He expressed deep concern over the growing number of casualties in all three simultaneous disasters. This created a strong bond with the people. Similarly, after the earthquake in Kumamoto in 2016, this emperor and empress visited the disaster-stricken people. Disaster victims used to get excited after their visit.

Similarly, Akihoto has an idea of ​​the legal waffle of the people of the state of Okinawa, which has 70% of US military bases and facilities. Akihito and his wife Mishiko have visited the islands 14 times. With an idea of ​​the severity of his grief, which is more than a decade old, he broke the tradition of not speaking out for the people of Okinawa in 1996. "I think the Okinawa issue will be discussed between the Japanese government and the US government, and I see a way to make people's lives happier," he said.

Third, Akihito is a proponent of peace. He has from time to time expressed strong displeasure over the movements of the Japanese army before the war in many parts of Asia. For example, in 2015, as Japan marked the 70th anniversary of its surrender, Emperor Akihito made it clear that Japan should invade parts of Asia during World War II. He was adamant that Japan needed to study and learn from the post-Manchurian war. Many were of the opinion that the emperor's statement was more straightforward than that of Prime Minister Abe. Akihito has visited many countries in Asia, including China, the Philippines, the Pacific island of Palau, and Saipan, to pay tribute to those killed in World War II.

Indians remember the royal couple's visit to India in 2013 with deep respect. The visit provided valuable impetus to the partnership between the two countries.

The fourth thing is to fully carry out Japan's post-war peace role. Akihito was upset that Prime Minister Abe had implemented some legislative measures related to security. He was unhappy about the right to collective protection, which he had strongly supported by Prime Minister Abe.

Akihito, these are leaving a very valuable legacy for his successor Naruhito. Born in 1960, Naruhito has little idea of ​​the war. On the contrary, he grew up in a post-war economic boom, and his education was completed in England. Recently, on his 59th birthday, he expressed his determination to carry on the legacy of his parents. "I will do my best to follow the changing times for the royal family," he said.