Octopus Overlords

Japan's Emperor Akihito has expressed his desire to abdicate in the coming years, public broadcaster NHK reports.

The 82-year-old, who has had health problems in recent years, reportedly does not wish to remain emperor if he has to reduce his official duties.

He has been head of state for 27 years and his abdication would be an unprecedented move in modern Japan.

His eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, 56, is next in line to succeed him to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Emperor Akihito plays a largely ceremonial role but is respected deeply by many Japanese and has been admired for distancing the monarchy from its association with the aggressive nationalism of World War Two.

The BBC's Steve Evans in the capital, Tokyo, says Akihito would be the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years.

Our correspondent says in 1989 he succeeded his father, Hirohito, who had had the status of a living god in Japan until he was stripped of that role by the victorious Americans who wrote the country's post-war constitution.

"Akihito" is the current emperor's given name, but it is not his regnal name, and he is never referred to as this in Japanese. The era of Akihito's reign bears the name "Heisei", and according to custom he will be renamed "Emperor Heisei" following his death.

Isgrimnur wrote:Emperor, yes. There's a few sovereign monarchs left. Of course, QEII is on the list sixteen times.

In much the same sense as the British Crown, the Chrysanthemum Throne is an abstract metonymic concept that represents the monarch and the legal authority for the existence of the government.

Holman wrote:Is Akihito the only emperor on the planet?

El Guapo wrote:When you play the game of Chrystanthemum thrones, you win, or you use a different flower for your herbal tea.

El Guapo wrote:When you play the game of Chrystanthemum thrones, you win, or you use a different flower for your herbal tea.

Jeff V wrote:

El Guapo wrote:When you play the game of Chrystanthemum thrones, you win, or you use a different flower for your herbal tea.

Only a true emperor can sit on a throne of flowers and not get stains on his trousers.

El Guapo wrote:Right. But I was referring to the name, not whether he actually sits on a Throne of Crystanthemum.

Japan’s popular Emperor Akihito formally abdicated on Tuesday in a short ceremony at the Imperial Palace, giving way to his son after the weight of official duties became too much for the 85-year-old.

Dressed in a morning coat with his wife, Empress Michiko, just behind him, Akihito gave a short televised speech in the Imperial Palace’s Pine Chamber, or throne room, encapsulating the humble and peaceful values that marked his rule.

“Since ascending the throne 30 years ago, I have performed my duties as the emperor with a deep sense of trust in and respect for the people, and I consider myself fortunate to have been able to do so,” he said.
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Akihito is the first Japanese emperor to abdicate since the Emperor Koukaku gave way, also to his son, in 1817. His 30-year reign as ceremonial head of state ends at midnight, concluding what is known as the Heisei era.

Crown Prince Naruhito, 59, will accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne in another ceremony at the palace Wednesday morning. His reign will mark the beginning of the Reiwa era, a term taken from ancient Japanese poetry and translated as “beautiful harmony.”