전후 일본의 상징천황체제와「생전퇴위」

Abstract

This paper studies the development of the argument surrounding the self-abdication of Emperor Akihito and the abdication process in terms of the enactment of a special law, ultimately exploring the intrinsic nature and meaning of the symbolic imperial system as well as the perception on the system in Japanese society. The Tenno(Emperor) system has existed for almost as long as Japan’s history itself. In this regard, the system inherits Japanese history and culture. The subject of this paper, however, is not the ancient Tenno system, but the significance and role of the modern Tenno system established after modernization and the symbolic imperial system afterwards. According to Japan’s Constitution on which the symbolic imperial system is based, self-abdication of an emperor before while he is still alive has an unconstitutional element. Nevertheless, the political circle managed to bring about the self-abdication of Emperor Akihito by enacting and enforcing a special law. This reflects a strong desire among Japan’s politicians to sustain the Tenno system. While the system bears Japan’s time-honored tradition and unique culture, the modern imperial system is a record of the burden Japanese society has to bear. The old Tenno system was supposed to be abolished but was instead succeeded by the symbolic imperial system thanks to the Constitution. This paper critically examines the point that the symbolic imperial system turns a blind eye to the self-reflection and regret about its past history of wrongdoing, pointing out that the system has come to serve as a medium of renewed collective memories as it is joined by neo-nationalism in the course of modern history.