Japan witnesses historical event while the emperor decides to abdicate his power. During two centuries none of the emperors of Japan did such action. The Emperor Akihito abdicates his power for his son.

Emperor of Japan

Emperor of Japan is the only monarch in the world called with English title "Emperor". The Chrysanthemum Throne is the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world.

The first emperor of Japan was Emperor Jimmu. According to the legend, he is considered the descendant of sun goddess Amaterasu. Today some people accepts Emperor as a descendant of god. The line of emperors has almost 2500 years in Japan.

After second World War, Japan lost the war and new constitution taking several powers from emperor was adopted.

The emperor's role is defined in Chapter I of the 1947 Constitution of Japan. The Constitution recognizes emperor as a symbol of the state and unity of people. The emperor must have approval of the cabinet in matters of state.

Emperor Akihito

Emperor Akihito (original name Tsugu Akihito)  is the 125st emperor of Japan. He was born in Tokyo 1933. At early age, Akihito got education including English language and Western culture.

The life of Akihito is full of interesting facts. He was educated in marine biology and he is an expert on goby fish. Thanks to his keen interest in marine biology, Akihito has written 38 scientific articles on goby fish that have seen publication in respected journals.

Akihito is the first emperor who married with commoner breaking 1500-years law. He married with daughter of wealthy businessman Michiko.

After the death of his father Hirohito, Akihito obtained the status of Emperor of Japan accepting  possession of the sacred sword, beads and mirror of the Sun-Goddess Amaterasu Omikami in 1989. The current era starting the reign of Akihito called Heisei ( Achieving Peace).

In 1991, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko broke the norms and spoke with people who suffered from Nagasaki volcanic eruption. After one year, he made another historic step by visiting China. Akihito is the first Japanese Emperor visits China.

He is also the first emperor who delivered speech in television in the wake of Japan's devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis. He urges the Japanese people to, "never give up hope, take care of themselves, and live strong for tomorrow."

The Parliament of Japan issued a law granting the right to Akihito for abdication in 2017. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced the abdication date of Akihito in 2019, 30 April.

Akihito decided to abdicate from his powers because of helath issues. "When I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State," he had said then.

Reaction to Akihito's abdication

Akihito obtains high respect among Japanese people. His abdication was 

“I think the emperor is loved by the people. His image is one of encouraging the people, such as after disasters, and being close to the people,” said Morio Miyamoto, a Tokyo resident. “I hope the next emperor will, like the Heisei emperor, be close to the people in the same way,” The Guardian reported.

Many said they would miss the departing emperor, who will now hold the title "Joko", which means "grand emperor" - and the English title "Emperor Emeritus", BBC reports.

"The emperor worked very hard for 30 years so I hope the handing over of the baton to the new emperor will go smoothly," Mikiko Fujii told the agency.

"I'm sad but also hopeful about the next era. I hope it will be a peaceful, gentle period for the second half of my life," said Masatoshi Kujirai, on his way to a Shinto shrine to mark the day.

Akihito will be remembered as a gentle emperor in the history of Japan.

Ulvi Ahmedli