In a rare public address in August 2016, Emperor
Akihito (ah-kee-HEE-toh) of Japan suggested that he may abdicate the throne. Japanese emperors are constitutionally barred
from stepping down, and no monarch has done so in nearly 200 years. Japan is a highly developed country with a
liberal democracy, and yet it has the oldest continuing monarchy in the world. So how does Japan’s monarchy actually work? Well, Japan’s Imperial Family is a hereditary
monarchy, not unlike those which are common in Europe and the Middle East. The head of the family is the Emperor, and
according to Japan’s constitution, he is the “symbol of the State and of the unity
of the people”. As such, the Emperor’s role is largely that
of a figurehead. That is, he attends diplomatic functions,
provides support after natural disasters, awards honors, and performs a number of other
symbolic duties. In fact, the Emperor only has two formal responsibilities:
appointing the Prime Minister as designated by parliament, and appointing the Chief Justice
as designated by the Cabinet. The Emperor does not take part in the lawmaking
process and in fact, is rarely even seen by the public. Since Emperor Akihito took the throne in 1989,
he has only addressed the country on television once prior to his recent appearance. Japan’s Imperial Family has existed for
thousands of years, and their role has evolved throughout history. From the 12th to 19th centuries, Japan was
ruled shoguns, or military dictators. Similar to today’s Prime Ministers, their
authority was only legitimate if it was approved by the Emperor. But when the shogunate dissolved in 1868,
a new constitution gave the Emperor the authority to create and enforce laws and exercise “supreme
command of the Army and Navy”. This lasted until the aftermath of World War
II, when the occupying United States imposed a new constitution barring the Emperor from
taking part in politics. This era marked not only a shift in the Emperor’s
sovereignty, but also in his public persona. According to Japanese mythology, the first
Emperor in 660 BC, as well as each of the 124 rulers that succeeded him, are descendents
of the Sun Goddess of Japan’s Shinto faith. In fact, the Japanese word for Emperor literally
translates to “heavenly sovereign”. and throughout history, Emperors have even been
referred to as ‘gods’. This narrative was reinforced by centuries
of tradition as well as government propaganda, and during the second World War, it culminated
in Imperial cults, kamikaze bombers and other fanaticism. After Japan lost the war, the Emperor publicly
announced that he was not a god, and rejected the belief that Emperors are divine. In order for Emperor Akihito to resign, Japanese
parliament must revisit a 1947 law barring him from doing so. Although nothing has been confirmed, Akihito’s
56-year-old son would likely advance to the throne. But Japan is famously resistant to change,
and reconsidering the role of its Emperor once again, may be a long and arduous road. If you’re like me and love history, science
and exploration, you should check out Discovery Go. You can binge watch all seasons – current
and past – of your favorite Discovery channel shows! I’m currently working my way through Mythbusters,
probably not a surprise. Check out the link in the description below
to learn more. CTA
Japan is the only country that still has an emperor but there are a handful of nations
that still have kings and queens. To learn more about the monarchies of the
world, check out our video here. Thanks for watching SD make sure to like and
sub.
Liberalism is a disease
Why don't you turn the music up just a little more? Then I won't be able to even notice you're speaking in the background.
天皇陛下万歳！
天皇弥栄！
Please make a video about Malaysia's Monarchy
Tenno Heika Banzai
cute video.
2:44 in the bottom right corner i though it said naruto.
Pretty sure the Emperor can do whatever the hell he wants. If he wants to resign the people will respect his decisions.
please make video for other countries such as swaziland, qatar, brunei, malaysia, etc….
Fuck Japanese Emperor! Fuck Japanese Prime minister Abe! Fuck Japnese!
What are UN's violation of human rights?
But why do they have an Emperor, and not a King? What makes them an Imperial family rather tan a Royal family?
Japan's Empire fell decades ago, and as far as I'm aware they have no overseas territories.
A lot of information here is wrong
Can a random japanese be the emperor (given the fact that he/shr has all the qualification, knowledge and wisdom) ?
I miss you Seeker Daily!!!
Most of Japan's emperors have abdicated more have abdicated them have died ruling Japan
Let's talk about why the emperor cannot abdicate. We in Japan are fanatical about following rules. Constitutionally, the Emperor cannot influence politics, yet we require a law to be created in order for the Emperor to step down. See the problem now?
What do japanese poeple think of the monarchy ?
can you do some "How to drink bleach".
This is my 69th Petition.
HIRE A SAMURAI…
I do find Japan's rule that females aren't not allowed to inherit the throne and that princesses losing their title for marrying commoners quite old fashioned and ludicrous and they need to change if they want the monarchy to survive . Right now the Japanese monarchy only have one heir Prince Hisahito , what happens if he doesn't marry or he only has daughters ? Who is going to inherit the throne then ?
TENO HEIKA BANZAI
The Monarchy of Denmark is the oldest continuous Monarchy in the world.
Tenno Heika Akisucker and Hirofucker Banzai!!!
As a Japanese, I would like to respect our Emperor and hope Japan will preserve its own tradition and the structure of Japan.
Japanese monarch runs for over 2600 years. before past 200 years, there were emperors who stepped down before ending lives. also there were female emperors in the past. the west is so eager to make japanese monarch look bad, in reality they are more down to earth than any of european royals.
万歳！
The title is more like [ Japan's Monarchy Explained FAILED!] Very superficial. You need to learn more about the Ten-nou of Japan. It cannot be defined as a monarchy by the western standard, though the Meiji Government and the post-war Government have tried to incorporate the Ten-nou into western style Monarchy. Shin-to also cannot be defined as a religion. So, NowThis World you people need to really study the shin-to and the Japanese civilization to understand the true essence of the Japanese people and most of all, the Ten-nou.
Literally a puppet of the politicians. Only few monarch are still fully control the country.. not even malaysia where monarch power were suppressed by the federal
so it's like the UK royal family.
what the guy describes at the beginning is basically a constatunional Monarchy which is in every single civilized country that has a Monarchy aka like Spain, UK and the Dutch to name a few.
Oldest monarchy in the world? Um no England.
Weeb
Drop the sexist law and makes his eldest daughter become the main woman
Where Chinese Royalty?
I REJECT MY HUMANITY JOJO
Long live Emperor Akihito!
What a shame that those western rats made the Emperor's powers so limited.
the japanese ppl will follow if he decided to take total power
Denmark has the oldest continuing monarchy in the world. Not Japan.
how can I use my dragons wisely in clash of clans?
BANZAI!
Hirohito should have been strung up in the streets considering he made all the orders involving war crimes.
TENNO HEIKA BANZAI!
Long live the Emperor Banzi
Monarchs in the 21st century will be ceremonial, historical, and tourist high officials, nothing more.
Britain will always have the best monarchy, the most traditional and elegant.
Japan is fascinating
Akihito's head seems too big for his body.
Hey, are u that D news guy?
昔からだけど理解できてない まず神じゃないし
How powerful as the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom at its peak during the 100 Year War?
So the poor man wants to quit his job, which other people can do, but he is not allowed?
They should give some power to the emperor. like just a smidgen
Long live the Empire of Japan!
How powerful is a taquila mixed with vodka ?? This is my 750 petition !!
How powerful is my Room? Please do it!
Is this that guy from Alvin and the Chipmunks?
Why the comments are never related to the video?
This is my first and last petition.
What if the emperor ran for prime minister and won:D
May Allahs honor and blessings be upon you and your family for your hard efforts to help us children of Adam ṣallā Allāhu ʿalayhi wa- ala ālihi wa-sallam
its crazy how i went from a insane liberal as a young teenage to a unironic nationalist. a good homogeneous ethnic nation will always be much happier then the melting pot
Wait Japan is a monarchy
tenno heikka banzai
Don’t forget about Indonesia’s sultan hamengkubowono
Their monarchy is the symbol of their culture.
Why is everyone being a douchebag
How powerful is the Titan x
This disappoints me my son isnt great as me
Are you crazy… it’s the worst in Asia from ancient times til now… they were the most violent and inhumane soldiers in the past, the worst society in the current times, economically and socially, they treat workers like slaves, and has the craziest underground society due to that as well.
Japanese Monarchy- 2 powers
English Monarchy- 7-9 powers.
what?
🎌🇯🇵
Emperors are greater than the king. Those Kamakazi s were very loyal to the Caesar of Japan , during WW2.
I love the Imperial Family 💚
Long live his majesty❤
This is flatly wrong. Emperor puts an imperial seal on legislation. He has diplomatic duties. He opens the legislative sessions.
我が国 日本は建国から2600年以上も滅びることなく続いている東洋の超大国である。
I love how the Emperor is like "yea I can't be fked with this no longer."
aeh rupali
Hi
long live the Emperor
BAKA
Why can't there be an Emperess??
YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR ALLOWING YOUR FILTHY MEN TO SLAUGHTER OUR DOLPHINS AND WHALES ALL OF THESE YEARS !!!….OH THATS RIGHT …YOU ARE ASHAMED…LOOK AT YOUR HEALTH FILTH !!!!!
When is Star Citizen going to be launched? Will the United Earth Alliance be overthrown by the Stanton Corporation?
What is the name of the Song!!!!!!!
How do monarchies form though? Like why that family instead of another? All I see when looking this up, all I see is monarchs invading other lands. Like, that doesn’t help answer how monarchies form. Only how they expand.
I just don’t understand the point of having a monarch if they don’t rule their kingdoms. Also, where does their wealth come from and should it belong to the republic?
I’d rather have a monarchy than an inept useless congress.
Samurai isn't military. They were nothing but armed farmers.
Not a liberal Democracy
So nice country
The comments here has nothing to do with the video lmao
Japan is not considered a 100% democracy. Its an authoritarian state, indirect dictatorship.
Geh. Liberal democracy.
So what,we dont have to see and know everything, youtube has drove man,crazy
From my understanding there is only one royal family recognized on Japan. Am I right? If no, what are the other royals.
In other words their monarchy means a joke 😜 in other country's.
dont worry prince hisahito will preserve the lineage. even if it fails, were a bipartisan democracy that no longer needs the emperor.
It's mid 2019 now and the Emporor has in fact abdicated.
As a Brazilian Monarchist, I am happy to see a Japanese Monarchy still alive today.