We interrupt your horsey horsings for a potential historic event in the making. · 7:55pm Aug 8th, 2016
There's a very important thing happening in the world right now that you might not have heard about. You might not even be aware of why it's important if you have heard.
Chances are you probably won't care, either, but it's one of those things it's good to be aware of.
No, it has nothing to do with US politics.
Or terrorism.
Today, Emperor Akihito addressed the Japanese people, and the world, in a televised address. Which in and of itself is something that rarely happens. Tennoheika does not directly address the nation often. A national broadcast by the Emperor of Japan only occurs when something monumental has happened, or is happening.
The message Tennoheika had for Japan, and the world, is historic and earthshaking, as never in Japan's Imperial history has any Emperor even suggested what was implied in this address.
Tennoheika strongly hinted, in his address, that he no longer considers himself fit enough, at his age, to conduct his role as the symbol of State.
No Emperor has ever abdicated. There isn't even a legal system in place for this. Legally, Tennoheika can only be succeeded at death. In making his address and stating his concern over his ability to continue as the symbol of State, Tennoheika has effectively indirectly suggested to the Japanese government that they need to debate, write, and implement a law that will allow him to abdicate. It is a monumental suggestion that had to be very carefully worded, because by law, he has no political power and is not allowed to influence political or legislatural decisions in Japan.
The coming weeks as this event evolves will be a very interesting time, and the issue of succession is as prickly as the fact that this is even happening while Tennoheika lives. There is not even an agreement, as far as I am aware, as to whether he would be succeeded by Prince Naruhito or Prince Akishino.
A lot of you are probably sitting there going "So what?" Well...that's fair enough. This doesn't really significantly impact anyone not living in Japan, and even in Japan, this is purely a ceremonial cultural thing, albeit one of tremendous significance--akin to the selection of a new Pope. But apart from the fact that Imperial succession in Japan is a rare occurrence, the specific details of this unfolding event are particularly noteworthy. It's something worthy of paying attention to, even if you're not a Japanophile.
Neat, granted, when I first read it the non break, I at first though you were gonna say Trump had been assassinated or something, but this is pretty cool
That's actually pretty cool to know. I didn't catch this on the news today.
Wow. That is interesting.
I wonder what this will do to the trading we have with them.
4139015 I don't think it was.
4139023 Uhh...nothing? The Emperor is a figurehead.
Very interesting, I didn't know Japan still had an Emperor, thought it ended after Emperor Hirohito surrender after the atomic bombing.
Though, when you said succession could happen upon his death, I thought you will be announcing he will do Hara Kiri.
I just came back from Japan, and I actually saw the gates leading up to his palace. Never thought he'd want to abdicate, though...
This is not actually true. Back in the old, old days - before the shoguns took over defacto power from the aristocrats of Kyoto, the actual rulers of Japan were the fathers-in-law or maternal grandfathers of the emperors, who were married very young, and encouraged strongly to produce heirs ASAP. As soon as a viable male heir survived the vulnerable years of childhood, the emperor, who by this time was old enough to be getting his own ideas about things and thus was getting wiilful, was again strongly encouraged to retire and become a monk. There were decades when the Emperor was never a grown adult, and the temples of Kyoto housed a few former-emperor monks. Later on, these monks became powers in their own right, and counterbalanced the grandfather-regents. This was known as Cloistered rule. The former emperors welded more power as monks than they ever did as emperors, who before Meiji were primarily ritual figures rather than what we would recognize as rulers in a western sense.
4139072 We're not talking about feudal or ancient Japan here, we're talking about the last couple hundred years or so.
Wow. Just.... Wow.
I liked this little tidbit of earthshaking info. Thanks for sharing. Glad I followed.
4139031 I know, but either of the two next could have some one change something if they wanted to.
My jaw nearly dropped. If he wants to though, he should be allowed to leave. Guess it is up to their government to decide.
4139086 True, but it is interesting that the trend since WWII has been a reversion to form, wherein institution of the Emperorship has reverted to tradition, and the Meiji innovation of direct rule may someday be seen as much of an outlier as the very violent era of Go-Daigo, who tried to assert personal rule and sparked off a terrible civil war. Note that we're also seeing the return of regnant empresses, which is far more ancient than retired emperors...
4139103 They really can't. The Emperor has no political power and is not allowed to exert political influence. That's part of why this is so huge.
4139140 That's a question Toei will have to answer when the time comes...
To be fair, I am just learning that Japan still has some sort of empireship-or-whatever!
So yeah, I am still intrigued by this.
4139139 and I'm saying it's politics and Japan.
4139295
Just...stop talking now.
4139231 The Imperial House in Japan serves a similar purpose to the Royal Family in Great Britain, except there's a whole lot more spiritual symbolism attached. The Emperor is essentially the soul of Japan. He has no political power whatsoever--legally, he cannot even influence political decisions--but the Throne represents the beating heart of Japanese culture and spiritual wholeness.
4139379 Yeah, I figured it was something similar from your description. Still, I learned something new
...and just like that you've got my attention. Even if it's a purely ceremonial thing it's still cool to read about it.
4139456 And learning is fun!
4139012 Wishful thinking.
Japan is a cool place. I want to vacation there one day.
4139139 So, the Emperor is basically to Japan what Queen Elizabeth is to Britian
4139767 Exactly, except he's more like a combination of the Queen of England and the Pope.
That's an interesting news bit. I wonder if they'll sign that law into action. But of course they need to do a bunch of other stuff before the law becomes official I'm guessing.
4140061 There's a LOT of discussion to be had about the cultural impact and social ramifications, most of which is centered around the succession issue. As things stand right now, women may not sit upon the Chrysanthemum Throne. This is a problem because by right, the successor is the Crown Prince Naruhito, but he has no direct male heirs. Tennoheika's second son does have a male heir who, if memory serves, is presently nine and would be third in line for the throne. The debate would be whether or not to crown Prince Naruhito in his father's wake and open the road for a reigning Empress, or pass the Throne to the second prince and continue long-standing patriarchal tradition.
To the Japanese, this is a much larger issue than it sounds. MUCH larger. As in, there will probably be fights in the Diet over it.
Pfft, what a silly nation, still bothering with a monarchy in this day and age. Why, a republic would never bother with such trivialities and has a way smoother system of replacing rulers. *remembers the US presidential election media circus* On second thought, all hail the emperor!
4140302 Okay. One one side, you have a male heir, but he has no sons. And on the other, you have a male heir who has a 9 year old son. Decisions, decisions.
4140356 It's kind of a big deal because of the unbroken lineage of the Imperial Family. The Japanese Imperial line goes back at least 1500 years. Keeping its traditions of patriarchy...that's not something Japan is easily willing to part with.
4140364 They value their traditions.
Thanks to researching what the name of the declaration that basically stated "The Imperial Family are not incarnations of the divine", I now know that there is nowhere that says that the Imperial Family cannot claim divine descent.
(For the unaware. The Imperial Family always claimed that they ruled by divine right, as they were descendants of the Japanese Sun Goddess Amaterasu-no-Okami. During WWII, Emperor Hirohito used this to whip the Japanese Army into fanaticism. After all, if you have a child of the Sun Goddess to speak for you, what's stopping you from sacrificing your life for him? After WWII, Emperor Hirohito made the Humanity Declaration, which stated that no, he was not an incarnation of divinity and no, the Japanese people are not superior to other races and are not fated to rule the world. A lot of people (myself included) seemed to wrongly think that after WWII, the Imperial Family could not directly invoke their divine ancestor or claim divine descent. It turns out that the Imperial Family cannot claim that their role comes from being divine, rather that their role is based off of mutual trust and affection. That said, it is probably a gaffe on tectonic levels for any member of the Imperial Family to DIRECTLY invoke Amaterasu-no-Okami. They can still invoke their ancestors, just not name the Mother To Us All)
(This has probably been the most I've typed Amaterasu-No-Okami since I played Okami years ago)
4139379 WOW
I'm just trying to say with the way this world is now it can change, and you have to treat me like I'm some uneducated just cause I said it in a simple way for people to understand. I love how people I looked up to treat me like shite.
4140660
I explained, repeatedly, why this would not have any impact on Japanese politics and foreign affairs policies, but you just. Refused. To. Get. The. Memo. THAT's why I "treated you like shite". BECAUSE you're speaking out of ignorance, EVEN WHEN I EXPLAINED IT TO YOU.
The Emperor is a figurehead. All he does is inspire the Japanese people by existing. It's the Prime Minister and the Japanese legislature that actually run Japan, without any political influence from the Imperial House. I don't know how I can say it any plainer than that.
4140684 look I'm not that great with politics and YES I know that he is a figurehead, and I made an educated guess with what knowledge I have with the subject on politics, so you didn't have to be rude to me, I am tired of you people that I look up to treating me like I'm stupid or less that shite and you good person did both so I have unfollowed you, you're stories that I loved, and have block you before you had posted your answer to my comment, and I will also like to say thank you for the fun I did have reading your stories.
4140700
If you want people to stop treating you like you're stupid, learn to ask the right questions and find out why they're treating you that way instead of blowing up over being mistreated. Also learn when it's time to stop talking and making the problem worse--which is kind of what led to this.
While I certainly never enjoy losing a follower, I can appreciate your reasons for no longer following me or my stories. I also honestly can't be bothered to be upset over losing one who has put on such a childish display.
Have a good life, then. Godspeed.