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Submitted via IRC for TheMightyBuzzard
Japan has passed legislation paving the way for 83-year-old Emperor Akihito to abdicate. The law sets the stage for the first abdication of a reigning monarch in two centuries, in a royal family which has a history stretching back 2,600 years.
[...] According to the 1947 Imperial House Law that regulates the line of imperial succession, the emperor cannot step down. The last Japanese monarch to abdicate was Emperor Kokaku, who left in favor of his son back in 1817.
Another issue the Japanese government will discuss is the continuity of the heirs, as women are not allowed to inherit the throne. Additionally, a woman from the imperial family who marries outside the family is then excluded. Akihito has another son, Prince Akishino, and a grandson, Hisahito, aged just 10. All the other members of the royal family are female.
Source: RT
(Score: 2) by frojack on Monday June 12 2017, @06:05PM
Agreed. The US anathema for monarchies is strictly a Domestic one, and the US has never shown any animosity to figurehead monarchs in otherwise elected governments.
Which is exactly what the Emperor was, and Is. The white gloves and top hat guy you trot out for ceremony.
Why keep him around? It had nothing to do with a communist horde, or bestowing blessing on a monarchy. (And no, the emperor was not a war criminal. Even at that time, he was a pawn of the military).
It had everything to do with gaining the acquiescence of the Japanese people so that instead of street by street fighting and snipers, there would be quiet acceptance because the Emperor said so.
It was something of a masterstroke, if you ask me.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.