Japan preparing for 1st imperial abdication in 200 years

April 29, 2018

Tokyo- Japan is stepping up preparations, with just one year to go until the planned abdication of Emperor Akihito set for April 30, 2019.

The Imperial abdication will be the first since Emperor Kokaku relinquished his title in 1817, a half century before the Meiji era began, marking the start of the country's modernization process.

The government will set up a committee on related ceremonies under the cabinet as early as autumn this year in preparation for the abdication, also the first since the country's current constitution took effect in 1947.

The Emperor's abdication will be followed by Crown Prince Naruhito's accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1, 2019.

Upon his enthronement, the era name will change from the current Heisei. The government is preparing to announce the new name as early as February 2019.

The committee, to be headed by the prime minister, will set basic guidelines for the related ceremonies.

It will ensure that these events do not violate the constitution, including the principle of the separation of religion and politics. Another key issue is how to harmonize the planned events with Imperial Family traditions.

Prior to the launch of the committee, the government will form a working-level preparatory team under the Cabinet Office in summer this year. The team, to be headed by the chief cabinet secretary, will work as a liaison among relevant government agencies.

Another focus is the new era name.

An era name change causes significant effects on people's lives, requiring modifications to computer systems in the public and private sectors.

To reduce the impact, the government plans to disclose the new name in advance. The announcement is likely to be made after the planned ceremony to celebrate Emperor Akihito's three decades on the throne set for Feb. 24, 2019.

The government is considering whether to designate the May 1 enthronement day that year a national holiday. Such a designation would allow 10 straight days off, from April 27 to May 6 that year, under a national holidays law provision that a weekday between national holidays is treated as a holiday.

The government will also decide whether to make Oct. 22, 2019, a national holiday, because "Sokuirei Seiden no Gi," the core ritual of the "Sokui no Rei" enthronement ceremonies, is slated for that day.

Early this month, the government set the basic policy on ceremonies related to the Imperial succession. Under the policy, the government will hold "Taiirei Seiden no Gi," an abdication ceremony, on April 30, 2019, and "Sokuirei Seiden no Gi," on Oct. 22 that year as acts in matters of state by the Emperor. Jiji Press