The year-old emperor sees his imperial family shrinking further and further.
It’s a party in Japan today! Emperor Naruhito celebrates his 64th birthday there. In his speech, the emperor also made some remarkable statements about the (somewhat shaky) future of the Japanese Imperial House.
Imperial celebration
On February 23, 1960, little Naruhito, Prince Hiro, was born as the eldest son of Emperor (then Crown Prince) Akihito and his wife, Empress Michiko. Although such an imperial birthday is generally celebrated on a grand scale, things have been different for the Japanese monarch in recent years.
For example, Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in May 2019 after the historic resignation of his father. Anyway, we all know what happened next in 2020 in terms of pandemic issues, and thus the early years of Naruhito’s Reiwa era had a particularly unpleasant aftertaste. All kinds of grand events simply could not take place, and his annual birthday party also had to be celebrated without the people being able to enjoy it.
Last year, for the first time, a small delegation of visitors was able to attend the festive speech moment after a draw. This year, an enthusiastic crowd finally flocked to the Imperial Palace for the big day.
Bitter
During his speech, Emperor Naruhito briefly expressed his admiration for the crowd that gathered. “I am very grateful that you have come for my birthday, and to be congratulated by all of you in this bitter, cold rain,” said the emperor, who himself was nice and dry in the Chowaden Hall of the palace.
HRH also reflected on the victims of the Noto earthquake, which occurred on January 1. He shared his ‘sincere sympathy’ with families who had lost loved ones.
Succession crisis
In addition, the emperor made some remarkable statements about the current status of the imperial house. In case you missed it: there has been a lot of fuss about Japanese hereditary succession for many decades, which is only allowed to continue in the male line. Since Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have a daughter, Princess Aiko, there was a lot of discussion about whether it was time to adjust the rules surrounding the succession.
However, instead of a possible empress regent on the throne, it was decided to officially appoint Naruhito’s brother, Fumihito, as crown prince. Since he has one son with his wife, Princess Kiko, this would solve the succession crisis. Yet things continue to rumble in Japan.
Future
It is also true that more and more members of the Imperial House are leaving. In recent decades, many ladies have been born within the imperial family, and they have to say goodbye to their imperial status when they marry a ‘commoner’. Thus, ex-princesses Noriko, Ayako, and Mako have said goodbye to their royal lives in recent years. Even if Aiko were appointed as heir to the throne, what would be the consequences if she also fell for an ordinary man?
With the constantly escalating discussions, the emperor was even forced to briefly address it in his birthday speech. For example, he acknowledged that the number of members of the imperial family who can perform royal duties is becoming increasingly smaller. “The situation is a matter related to the future of the Imperial Family,” Naruhito said.
Furthermore, the emperor wisely remained tight-lipped – he is not allowed to comment substantively on political issues. Hopefully the emperor could enjoy his birthday a bit despite all the difficult things!
Source: AP News, Asahi.com | Image: NL Image
