Daily Times

The new emperor of Japan has succeeded his father on May 1, 2019. The institution of emperor of Japan is one of the oldest in the world. The people of Japan love their emperor. For his part, the emperor has always maintained dignity and respect of the throne. Tenno, a word of Japanese language, means emperor. It was a symbol of might and sovereignty. According to one study Jimmu was first emperor of Japan. Given the constitutional reforms the office of the emperor is no longer as powerful as it once used to be.

Chapter One of the constitution of Japan, which took effect in 1947, deals with the office of the emperor. It provides, “The Emperor shall be the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People, deriving his position from the will of the people with who resides sovereign power.” According to the constitution the cabinet shall accord approval to the acts of the emperor and he shall not enjoy powers relating to government.

Emperor Akihito succeeded to the throne in January 1989. He was the first emperor after the World War II to take the Chrysanthemum Throne. He became emperor after the death of his father, Hirohito, at the age of 55 years. He is 85 years old. He is the first emperor to abdicate the throne in 200 years. The last abdication took place in 1817. He remained emperor for about 30 years. It was announced in 2017 that the emperor would step down in favour of the crown prince. He left the office on April 30, 2019. The next day, the new emperor was enthroned in a ceremony.

The newly enthroned emperor Naruhito is 59 years old. An emperor abdicating the throne for a crown prince to assume responsibilities is a rare occasion.

Emperor Akihito succeeded to the throne in January 1989. He was the first emperor after the World War II to take the Chrysanthemum Throne

The first foreign dignitary the new emperor shall receive after the enthronement will be the US President Donald Trump. The meeting will take place during President Trump’s state visit to Japan from May 25 to May 28. In addition to marking the closeness between Japan and the US the event symbolizes the strong bond of friendship between the two countries. The summit meetings and the summit telephonic talks have increased between Japan and the US after the entry of Trump in the White House. There are many reasons behind this momentum. From 2000 to 2016 about 39 summit meetings and telephone talks have taken place. According to one report 37 meetings have taken place between a prime minister of Japan and the US president before the latter’s tour of Japan scheduled by the end of May 2019.

The writer is a freelancer