Emperor sends 'special' message to Japanese people

The Emperor shared: “I am 82 years old this year. Therefore, it is difficult to fulfill my responsibilities in the best possible way.”

At 3:00 p.m. on August 8 (1:00 p.m. Vietnam time), Emperor Akihito sent a message to the Japanese people in a video, expressing his thoughts amid speculation about the Emperor's intention to abdicate.

In his message, Emperor Akihito did not directly express whether he would abdicate or not, but said: “I am 82 years old this year. Therefore, it is difficult to fulfill my responsibilities in the best possible way,” and hoped that all Japanese people would understand his wishes.

Emperor Akihito sent a message to the Japanese people in a video. (photo: NHK).

The Emperor also made clear that his health was not good after having had consecutive surgeries in recent years.

The Emperor said that during his 28 years on the throne, he has experienced joys and sorrows together with the Japanese people and has always hoped that the stability of the country and the happiness of the people will continue.

Finally, the Emperor expressed: In the Japanese Constitution, the Emperor has no power in matters of state. However, with the long history of the Imperial regime in our country (meaning Japan), the Imperial Family will, under any circumstances, carry out its duties side by side with the people, build a future for the country, and maintain stability. That is also what I want to express in this speech.

Immediately after the Emperor's speech, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave an interview to the press. Mr. Abe said that the Emperor's speech "showed a great responsibility to the nation."

The Emperor's speech received special attention from the people. Many Japanese analysts said that the Emperor's speech demonstrated the responsibility of a King for the happiness of the people and the stability of the country. This is a wonderful thing.

The video broadcast on television this afternoon (August 8) is a rare video of Emperor Akihito since his accession to the throne in 1989. Previously, the Emperor made a similar speech in March 2011, after the earthquake and tsunami that killed tens of thousands of people.

In Japanese history, the abdication of an Emperor is unprecedented.

Emperor Akihito is 82 years old this year, and began his succession after his father, Emperor Hirohito, passed away in 1989./.

According to VOV