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{{short description|Japanese imperial abdication and transition}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{History of Japan|
|caption=[[Mount Fuji]] and [[Tokyo Skytree]]
|expanded=false}}
The '''2019 Japanese imperial transition''' occurred on 30 April 2019 when the then 85-year-old [[Akihito|Emperor Akihito]] of [[Japan]] [[Abdication|abdicated]] from the [[Chrysanthemum Throne]] after reigning for 30 years,<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan's emperor thanks country, prays for peace before abdication |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication |website=Nikkei Asian Review |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430112220/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first [[Emperor of Japan]] to do so since [[Emperor Kōkaku]] in 1817. This marked the end of the [[Heisei era]] and the inception of the [[Reiwa era]], and saw numerous festivities leading up to the accession of his eldest son and successor, Emperor [[Naruhito]].<ref>Jiji, Kyodo, [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/politics-diplomacy/emperor-akihitos-abdication-may-push-back-timing-constitutional-reform/#.Wik59oUz23U "Emperor Akihito's abdication may push back timing of constitutional reform"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155802/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/politics-diplomacy/emperor-akihitos-abdication-may-push-back-timing-constitutional-reform/#.Wik59oUz23U |date=7 August 2018 }} ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 5 January 2017.</ref> The [[Enthronement of the Japanese emperor|Enthronement Ceremony]] took place on 22 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Enthronement-ceremony-for-Japan-s-next-emperor-seen-in-fall-2019|title=Enthronement ceremony for Japan's next emperor seen in fall 2019- Nikkei Asian Review|website=Asia.nikkei.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223001650/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Enthronement-ceremony-for-Japan-s-next-emperor-seen-in-fall-2019|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Akihito's younger son, [[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan|Prince Akishino]], is his brother's [[heir presumptive]]. The ceremony cost 16.6
{{quote box
| quote = The practice in the Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events which continue for one year. These various events occur simultaneously with events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind. It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation.<ref name=EmperorSpeech />
| source = Emperor Akihito, 2016
| align = right
| width = 285px
}}
▲The '''2019 Japanese imperial transition''' occurred on 30 April 2019 when the then 85-year-old [[Akihito|Emperor Akihito]] of [[Japan]] [[Abdication|abdicated]] from the [[Chrysanthemum Throne]] after reigning for 30 years,<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan's emperor thanks country, prays for peace before abdication |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication |website=Nikkei Asian Review |access-date=30 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430112220/https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Japan-s-Reiwa-era/Japan-s-emperor-thanks-country-prays-for-peace-before-abdication |archive-date=30 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> becoming the first [[Emperor of Japan]] to do so since [[Emperor Kōkaku]] in 1817. This marked the end of the [[Heisei era]] and the inception of the [[Reiwa era]], and saw numerous festivities leading up to the accession of his eldest son and successor, Emperor [[Naruhito]].<ref>Jiji, Kyodo, [https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/politics-diplomacy/emperor-akihitos-abdication-may-push-back-timing-constitutional-reform/#.Wik59oUz23U "Emperor Akihito's abdication may push back timing of constitutional reform"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807155802/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/politics-diplomacy/emperor-akihitos-abdication-may-push-back-timing-constitutional-reform/#.Wik59oUz23U |date=7 August 2018 }} ''[[The Japan Times]]'', 5 January 2017.</ref> The [[Enthronement of the Japanese emperor|Enthronement Ceremony]] took place on 22 October 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Enthronement-ceremony-for-Japan-s-next-emperor-seen-in-fall-2019|title=Enthronement ceremony for Japan's next emperor seen in fall 2019- Nikkei Asian Review|website=Asia.nikkei.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223001650/https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Enthronement-ceremony-for-Japan-s-next-emperor-seen-in-fall-2019|archive-date=23 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Akihito's younger son, [[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan|Prince Akishino]], is his brother's [[heir presumptive]]. The ceremony cost 16.6 billion Yen.<ref name="nippon.com 2019">{{cite web | title=Japan to Spend Record ¥16.6 Billion on Coronation of New Emperor | website=nippon.com | date=25 April 2019 | url=https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/c06107/japan-to-spend-record-¥16-6-billion-on-coronation-of-new-emperor.html | access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref>
▲=== Background ===
In 2010, Emperor Akihito informed his advisory council that he would eventually like to retire from his position. However, no action was taken by senior members of the [[Imperial Household Agency]].<ref name="japan-forward.com">{{cite web|url=http://japan-forward.com/do-not-let-the-emperors-abdication-be-an-occasion-for-cynical-political-gain/|title=Do Not Let the Emperor's Abdication Be an Occasion for Cynical Political Gain – JAPAN Forward|date=11 May 2017|website=Japan-forward.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224094226/http://japan-forward.com/do-not-let-the-emperors-abdication-be-an-occasion-for-cynical-political-gain/|archive-date=24 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 13 July 2016, national broadcaster [[NHK]] reported that the Emperor wished to [[Abdication|abdicate]] in favour of his eldest son, Crown Prince [[Naruhito]], within a few years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Japan's ailing 82-year-old emperor considers stepping down |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/08/07/after-shock-japan-warms-up-to-emperors-possible-abdication/88361562/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428071213/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/08/07/after-shock-japan-warms-up-to-emperors-possible-abdication/88361562/ |archive-date=28 April 2019 |access-date=2019-05-04 |publisher=USA Today |language=en}}</ref>
Senior officials within the [[Imperial Household Agency]] denied that there was any official plan for the monarch to abdicate. A potential abdication by the Emperor would require an amendment to the [[Imperial Household Law]], which has no provisions for such a move.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20160713/k10010594271000.html |title=天皇陛下 「生前退位」の意向示される ("His Majesty The Emperor Indicates His Intention to 'Abdicate'") |publisher=NHK |language=ja |date=13 July 2016 |access-date=13 July 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713100512/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20160713/k10010594271000.html |archive-date=13 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36784045|title=Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate'|work=BBC News|date=13 July 2016|access-date=17 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410170615/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36784045|archive-date=10 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 8 August 2016, the Emperor gave a rare televised address, where he emphasized his advanced age and declining health;<ref name=EmperorSpeech>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/12#41|title=Message from His Majesty The Emperor|date=8 August 2016|publisher=The Imperial Household Agency|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808085753/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/12#41|archive-date=8 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> this address was interpreted as an implication of his intention to abdicate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37007106|title=Japan's Emperor Akihito hints at wish to abdicate|work=BBC News|date=8 August 2016|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428131517/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37007106|archive-date=28 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="japan-forward.com1">{{cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/the-emperors-abdication-sixteen-months-of-muted-conflict/|title=The Emperor's Abdication: Sixteen Months of Muted Conflict – JAPAN Forward|date=9 December 2017|website=Japan-forward.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113062247/http://japan-forward.com/the-emperors-abdication-sixteen-months-of-muted-conflict/|archive-date=13 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{main|Emperor Abdication Law}}
With the intention of the abdication now known, the [[Cabinet Office (Japan)|Cabinet Office]] appointed Yasuhiko Nishimura as the Imperial Household Agency's Vice Grand Steward. In October 2016, the Cabinet Office appointed a panel of experts to debate the Emperor's abdication.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://japan-forward.com/the-emperors-abdication-sixteen-months-of-muted-conflict/|title=The Emperor's Abdication: Sixteen Months of Muted Conflict|date=2017-12-08|website=Japan Forward|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210123759/https://japan-forward.com/the-emperors-abdication-sixteen-months-of-muted-conflict/|archive-date=10 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
In January 2017, the Lower House Budget committee began informally debating the constitutional nature of the abdication.<ref name="japan-forward.com" />
On 19 May 2017, the bill that would allow Akihito to abdicate was issued by the [[Cabinet of Japan]]. On 8 June 2017, the [[National Diet]] passed it into law, permitting the government to begin arranging the process of handing over the position to [[Naruhito|Crown Prince Naruhito]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40168983 |title=Japan passes landmark bill for Emperor Akihito to abdicate |work=BBC News |date=8 June 2017 |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428095632/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-40168983 |archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> This meant the [[Imperial Household Law]] was changed for the first time since 1949. The
== Imperial Household Council ==
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Finally, on 8 December 2017, the government created a special committee to oversee the events. According to Suga, it would "deal with the matter properly, taking into consideration the possible impact on the people's lives."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/special-panel-set-formally-approve-emperor-akihitos-abdication-date-april-30-2019/|title=Special panel set to formally approve Emperor Akihito's abdication date as April 30, 2019|date=5 December 2017|website=Japantimes.co.jp|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202204303/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/05/national/special-panel-set-formally-approve-emperor-akihitos-abdication-date-april-30-2019/|archive-date=2 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Preparations for the imperial transition
[[File:Yoshihide Suga announcing new imperial era Reiwa 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Chief Cabinet Secretary]] [[Yoshihide Suga]] announces the new Imperial era "Reiwa" to the press
The committee met for the first time in January 2018, and the following month announced that a plan called a "basic policy statement
=== Golden Week, 2019 ===▼
The government consolidated the Golden Week into a special ten-day holiday block lasting from 27 April to 6 May. Even without the imperial transition, 29 April and 3–6 May were scheduled as national holidays in 2019, following the weekend of 27–28 April. To mark the imperial transition, the government determined that the abdication and enthronement would both be national holidays. Japanese law states that a regular work day sandwiched between two national holidays becomes a public holiday.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/06/national/japan-mulls-10-consecutive-days-off-around-crown-princes-succession/|title=Plan ahead: Japan to consider 10 consecutive days off around Crown Prince's succession|date=6 December 2017|website=Japantimes.co.jp|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107185322/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/06/national/japan-mulls-10-consecutive-days-off-around-crown-princes-succession/|archive-date=7 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
=== Calendars ===
{{more|Japanese era name|Reiwa}}Since the [[Meiji Restoration]] in 1867, a new [[Japanese era name|Japanese era]] starts the day after the death of the previous emperor. However, in Emperor Akihito's case, manufacturers of calendars, forms, and other paper products needed to know the new era's name in advance to produce wares in a timely manner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/14/national/big-headache-calendar-publishers-new-emperors-era-name-announcement-delayed/|title=Big headache for calendar publishers if new Emperor's era name announcement delayed|date=14 June 2017|website=Japantimes.co.jp|access-date=6 January 2018|via=Japan Times Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204224433/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/14/national/big-headache-calendar-publishers-new-emperors-era-name-announcement-delayed/|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiasentinel.com/society/japan-heisei-emperor-akihito-departs/|title=Japan's Heisei Emperor Departs, Taking his Calendar – Asia Sentinel|date=7 December 2017|website=Asiasentinel.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003325/https://www.asiasentinel.com/society/japan-heisei-emperor-akihito-departs/|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="japan-forward.com" />▼
▲[[File:Yoshihide Suga announcing new imperial era Reiwa 2 (cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Chief Cabinet Secretary]] [[Yoshihide Suga]] announces the new Imperial era "Reiwa" to the press.]]
▲Since the [[Meiji Restoration]] in 1867, a new [[Japanese era name|Japanese era]] starts the day after the death of the previous emperor. However, in Emperor Akihito's case, manufacturers of calendars, forms, and other paper products needed to know the new era's name in advance to produce wares in a timely manner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/14/national/big-headache-calendar-publishers-new-emperors-era-name-announcement-delayed/|title=Big headache for calendar publishers if new Emperor's era name announcement delayed|date=14 June 2017|website=Japantimes.co.jp|access-date=6 January 2018|via=Japan Times Online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204224433/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/06/14/national/big-headache-calendar-publishers-new-emperors-era-name-announcement-delayed/|archive-date=4 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiasentinel.com/society/japan-heisei-emperor-akihito-departs/|title=Japan's Heisei Emperor Departs, Taking his Calendar – Asia Sentinel|date=7 December 2017|website=Asiasentinel.com|access-date=6 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208003325/https://www.asiasentinel.com/society/japan-heisei-emperor-akihito-departs/|archive-date=8 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="japan-forward.com" />
While the era names for the [[Shōwa era|Shōwa]] and [[Heisei era]]s were kept state secrets until the deaths of the previous emperors, that was not possible in this case, because an abdication had been unprecedented since the 1889 [[Meiji Constitution]] was adopted. In order to prevent divisive debate on the subject, delaying the announcement as late as was practically possible{{Snd}}either the old Emperor's birthday or his jubilee celebrations{{Snd}}had been suggested.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/02/17/national/japan-may-defer-announcement-new-era-name-year-end-later/|title=Japan may delay release of new era name until year-end or later|date=17 February 2018|via=Japan Times Online|access-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305063804/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/02/17/national/japan-may-defer-announcement-new-era-name-year-end-later/|archive-date=5 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
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The new era name, {{Nihongo|[[Reiwa]]|令和}}, was revealed on 1 April 2019 by [[Chief Cabinet Secretary]] [[Yoshihide Suga]] during a televised press conference.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-japan-reiwa-becomes-the-new-name-for-a-new-era-under-a-new-emperor/2019/04/01/8e60752c-5430-11e9-a047-748657a0a9d1_story.html |title=Japan names new imperial era 'Reiwa,' a symbol of the country's hopes for the future |last=Denyer |first=Simon |date=2019-04-01 |newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en-US |access-date=2019-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402195337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-japan-reiwa-becomes-the-new-name-for-a-new-era-under-a-new-emperor/2019/04/01/8e60752c-5430-11e9-a047-748657a0a9d1_story.html |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Imperial transition ==
[[File:退位礼正殿の儀―平成31年4月30日.webm|thumb|Livestreamed video of the abdication ceremony]]
On 30 April 2019, the Emperor formally announced his abdication during a ceremony at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]].<ref>{{cite news |date=30 April 2019 |title=Japan's Emperor Akihito abdicates |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48020703 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501003243/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48020703 |archive-date=1 May 2019 |access-date=1 May 2019 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Akihito formally ceased to be emperor at midnight [[Japan Standard Time|JST]] on the night between 30 April and 1 May, which heralded the beginning of the Reiwa era.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=McCurry |first=Justin |date=2019-05-01 |title=Japan welcomes new emperor Naruhito as Reiwa era begins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/01/japan-reiwa-naruhito-emperor |access-date=2024-12-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He received the title of {{Nihongo|Jōkō|上皇|extra=Emperor Emeritus}}, an abbreviation of {{Nihongo|[[Daijō Tennō]]|太上天皇}}, upon abdicating, and his wife, the Empress, became {{Nihongo|Jōkōgō|上皇后|extra=Empress Emerita}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archived copy |url=http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004115774 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208190111/http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0004115774 |archive-date=8 December 2017 |access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref> The formal accession ceremony of Emperor Naruhito took place the following morning.<ref name=":1" />
▲=== Golden Week, 2019 ===
▲The government consolidated the Golden Week into a special ten-day holiday block lasting from 27 April to 6 May. Even without the imperial transition, 29 April and 3–6 May were scheduled as national holidays in 2019, following the weekend of 27–28 April. To mark the imperial transition, the government determined that the abdication and enthronement would both be national holidays. Japanese law states that a regular work day sandwiched between two national holidays becomes a public holiday.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 December 2017 |title=Plan ahead: Japan to consider 10 consecutive days off around Crown Prince's succession |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/12/06/national/japan-mulls-10-consecutive-days-off-around-crown-princes-succession/
== Enthronement Ceremony ==
{{See also|List of guests at the enthronement of Naruhito}}[[File:Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito 2.png|thumb|right|Emperor Naruhito during the Enthronement Ceremony]]
The
The ceremony began at 9 am [[Japan Standard Time|JST]] (02:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]) with the private {{Nihongo|2=賢所大前の儀|3=Kashikodokoro-Ōmae-no-gi}} ritual when the Emperor, dressed in white traditional court wear, visited the Kashiko-dokoro, the main sanctuary in the Tokyo Imperial Palace where the Sun Goddess is said to be enshrined.<ref name="NHK World">{{cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/723/|title=Imperial enthronement ceremony as it happened|date=22 October 2019|publisher=NHK World|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022131436/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/723/|archive-date=22 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
At 1 pm [[Japan Standard Time|JST]] (06:00 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]), the main portion of the ceremony began. Emperor [[Naruhito]] wore the [[sokutai]] and [[Empress Masako]] wore the [[jūnihitoe]]. They took their places on the 6.5-metre (21-foot) Takamikura throne at the Matsu-no-Ma (Pine Hall), and the Emperor gave a speech which emphasized his role as the symbol of the State.<ref name="NHK World" /> The speech then followed by a congratulatory speech by [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Shinzo Abe]] and [[Ten thousand years|three cheers of banzai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20191022/news/310229949/|title=Japanese Emperor Naruhito ascends Chrysanthemum Throne|date=22 October 2019|work=Daily Herald|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025070450/https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20191022/news/310229949/|archive-date=25 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A state banquet hosted by the new Emperor was organized later in the day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-22 |title=Washoku delicacies served at banquet after emperor's ceremony |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/10/bebd59cf73c3-washoku-delicacies-served-at-banquet-after-emperors-ceremony.html |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Kyodo News+}}</ref>
== Post-enthronement parade ==
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== See also ==
{{Commons category}}
* [[Chrysanthemum taboo]]
* [[Daijō Tennō]] (retired Emperor)
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[[Category:Abdication]]
[[Category:April 2019
[[Category:Imperial House of Japan]]
[[Category:2019 in Japanese politics]]
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