Emperor Akihito and his abdication

[Prisma]

Yes, the retired emperor and empress can still meet people and travel. Those activities should be outside of the state banquets and official ceremonies. Going to concerts, exhibitions, etc. are considered private activities according to a Sankei article last year. They can also attend the New Year's General Public Greeting on January 2nd although I don't know if they'll attend all 5 appearances or just the first 2 like the extended family members.

The retired couple will NOT attend official events like New Year's Reception, Lectures, Poetry Reading, garden parties, state banquets, welcoming ceremonies, national conferences, etc.

For foreign guests, the current practice seems to be: royal guests meet the emperor and empress and then the crown prince and crown princess. Non-royal guests only seem to meet the emperor and empress although CP Naruhito has received presidents at times.

On January 31st, the IHA announced some decisions on assignments after the abdication. Besides taking on Emperor Akihito's 3 major regional events - National Tree Planting, National Sea Enrichment, and National Sports Festival - Naruhito will continue to attend the National Cultural Festival as emperor; it is one of 7 major regional events he currently attends.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko will split 5 of Naruhito's other annual events.
Prince Akishino: National Greenery Conservation, National Tree Growing Festival, National Inter-High School Sports Festival, National Sports Festival for Disabled People
Princess Kiko: National Blood Donation Promotion Conference

To reduce the burden on the Akishino couple, Princess Mako may attend some events. Prince Akishino retains his honorary patron / president positions at 13 organizations but attendance will be limited.

Princess Nobuko takes the National Young Farmers Summit as announced earlier.

As for Tokyo events:
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will continue to attend the International Youth Conference which was established to commemorate their marriage.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako takes over both Children's Day and Senior Citizen's Day visits (currently alternating between the CP and Akishino couples)
Akishino couple takes over Cultural Agency Art Festival opening ceremony
Princess Kiko takes over Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media (currently attended by CP Naruhito)

Sources: Sankei, Jiji, Mainichi

..... I want Princesses Akiko, Yoko, Hisako, and Tsuguko to get some assignments... please... and what about Kako?

[Ista]

Thanks for posting that update, Prisma. Very, very interesting, and yes, I noticed that Hisako, Tsuguko, Kako, Akiko, and Yoko were not included, which seems odd to me. I wonder what that is about? Or if, perhaps, they will take on additional duties, but those will be announced at a later time? All of these women are very capable, so not utilizing them seems wasteful in the extreme.

[Kitty1224]

Originally Posted by Prisma

Yes, the retired emperor and empress can still meet people and travel. Those activities should be outside of the state banquets and official ceremonies. Going to concerts, exhibitions, etc. are considered private activities according to a Sankei article last year. They can also attend the New Year's General Public Greeting on January 2nd although I don't know if they'll attend all 5 appearances or just the first 2 like the extended family members.

The retired couple will NOT attend official events like New Year's Reception, Lectures, Poetry Reading, garden parties, state banquets, welcoming ceremonies, national conferences, etc.

For foreign guests, the current practice seems to be: royal guests meet the emperor and empress and then the crown prince and crown princess. Non-royal guests only seem to meet the emperor and empress although CP Naruhito has received presidents at times.

On January 31st, the IHA announced some decisions on assignments after the abdication. Besides taking on Emperor Akihito's 3 major regional events - National Tree Planting, National Sea Enrichment, and National Sports Festival - Naruhito will continue to attend the National Cultural Festival as emperor; it is one of 7 major regional events he currently attends.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko will split 5 of Naruhito's other annual events.
Prince Akishino: National Greenery Conservation, National Tree Growing Festival, National Inter-High School Sports Festival, National Sports Festival for Disabled People
Princess Kiko: National Blood Donation Promotion Conference

To reduce the burden on the Akishino couple, Princess Mako may attend some events. Prince Akishino retains his honorary patron / president positions at 13 organizations but attendance will be limited.

Princess Nobuko takes the National Young Farmers Summit as announced earlier.

As for Tokyo events:
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will continue to attend the International Youth Conference which was established to commemorate their marriage.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako takes over both Children's Day and Senior Citizen's Day visits (currently alternating between the CP and Akishino couples)
Akishino couple takes over Cultural Agency Art Festival opening ceremony
Princess Noriko takes over Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media (currently attended by CP Naruhito)

Sources: Sankei, Jiji, Mainichi

..... I want Princesses Akiko, Yoko, Hisako, and Tsuguko to get some assignments... please... and what about Kako?

Wow thank you.

[Prisma]

You're welcome Kitty1224 and Ista

Originally Posted by Ista

Thanks for posting that update, Prisma. Very, very interesting, and yes, I noticed that Hisako, Tsuguko, Kako, Akiko, and Yoko were not included, which seems odd to me. I wonder what that is about? Or if, perhaps, they will take on additional duties, but those will be announced at a later time? All of these women are very capable, so not utilizing them seems wasteful in the extreme.

Maybe the IHA prefers senior royals at such big events? I don't know. At least Princess Nobuko got something. The IHA could spread out the assignments to the other princesses which would 1) reduce the burden on the Akishino family 2) allow Prince Akishino to attend his 13 patronages regularly 3) actually utilize the princesses!!!

So frustrating. They "worry" about lacking royals to carry out public service and then don't give them assignments. Even though Akiko and Hisako are busy, I'm sure they can accommodate any of these events.

Personally, I would give the Cultural Agency Art Festival to Akiko or Mako, National Sports Festival for Disabled People to Yoko, National Inter-High School Sports Festival to Tsuguko, Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media to Hisako, and National Greenery Conservation to Mako or Kako.

Just realized I made a mistake earlier. Princess Kiko (not Noriko) gets Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media. Google frequently translates 紀子さま as Noriko instead of Kiko.

ETA: rotation is another option. Except for the Imperial couple who are honorary presidents of the Japanese Red Cross, the other senior royals are honorary vice-presidents so the National Blood Donation Promotion Conference can rotate between Akishino and the older female princesses.

[Prisma]

Emperor, prince to be told era name first - The Japan News

The government will report the new era name to the Emperor and Crown Prince Naruhito before making it public on April 1, informed sources said Sunday.

[...]

The government is considering having Prime Minister Shinzo Abe report the new name directly to both the Emperor and the crown prince, according to the sources close to Abe.

The government is expected to report the new name to them as soon as the government selects it from among the proposed names.

The government will seek advice from the Cabinet Legislation Bureau to set a specific reporting procedure, so as not to raise any question about the constitutionality of the procedure, the sources said. The constitution bans the Emperor from being involved in political affairs.

[...]

The selection process will not involve the current or the new Emperor. At the time of the 1989 name change from Showa, the government reported the era name of Heisei to the Emperor through the grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency before making it public.

[...]

I wonder if any emperor has disliked their era name. That would be extremely awkward. Not only is it their reign name, it's their posthumous name as well.

Various events marking Emperor Akihito's 30-year reign:

Railroad show marks Emperor Akihito's 30-year reign | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

Exhibition to mark 30th anniversary of Emperor's enthronement opens at palace - The Mainichi

A special exhibition of poems by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko opened at Sannomaru Shozokan (The Museum of the Imperial Collections) in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace on Feb. 2.

[...] A portrait of the Emperor and Empress commissioned from painter Hiroshi Noda is also on public display for the first time.

The portrait is a 2-meter-square oil painting of the Emperor and the Empress standing close to one another. Among the exhibits are poems the Imperial Couple has read at the New Year's poetry ceremonies and photos of the readings. There are poems to console disaster victims and mourn those killed in World War II. [...]

Tracing Their Majesties’ 30 Years Through the Poems of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan has photos of gifts the Imperial couple gave each other and the empress' sericulture works

Paperweight from Empress Michiko to Emperor Akihito
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-3.jpg

Thread cabinet from Emperor Akihito to Empress Michiko for her 70th birthday
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-4.jpg

Fabric woven from Koishimaru silk
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-8.jpg
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-9.jpg

Signing of the Greeting Book for The 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor

Date: February 24, 2019
1. Signing of the Greeting Book
On the occasion of The 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, the Greeting Book is open for the well-wishers from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the signing desk in front of the Imperial Household Building. (Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and other members of the Imperial Family do not present themselves on February 24.)

Entrance and Exit: Sakashita-mon Gate

The well-wishers are requested to write their full name and the name of prefecture (country of origin: in case of foreigner) on the Greeting Book. The stationery is prepared at the desk. [...]

Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Special Exhibition Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor.

Exhibits
Items related to the enthronement ceremonies
Ox drawn carriage
Imperial court costumes (Traditional robes)
Pictorial sliding door “Choga” (depicting a scene of new year’s greetings to the emperor) painted by Sumiyoshi Hirotsura
Flower arrangements by schools of temples which are associated with the imperial family

Performances
Gagaku (Imperial court music and dances) March 16 (Saturday) 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00

Kemari (Ancient football game of the imperial court) March 17 (Sunday) 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00

Kangen (Imperial court music) March 21 (Thursday) 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Prisma

Yes, the retired emperor and empress can still meet people and travel. Those activities should be outside of the state banquets and official ceremonies. Going to concerts, exhibitions, etc. are considered private activities according to a Sankei article last year. They can also attend the New Year's General Public Greeting on January 2nd although I don't know if they'll attend all 5 appearances or just the first 2 like the extended family members.

The retired couple will NOT attend official events like New Year's Reception, Lectures, Poetry Reading, garden parties, state banquets, welcoming ceremonies, national conferences, etc.

For foreign guests, the current practice seems to be: royal guests meet the emperor and empress and then the crown prince and crown princess. Non-royal guests only seem to meet the emperor and empress although CP Naruhito has received presidents at times.

On January 31st, the IHA announced some decisions on assignments after the abdication. Besides taking on Emperor Akihito's 3 major regional events - National Tree Planting, National Sea Enrichment, and National Sports Festival - Naruhito will continue to attend the National Cultural Festival as emperor; it is one of 7 major regional events he currently attends.

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko will split 5 of Naruhito's other annual events.
Prince Akishino: National Greenery Conservation, National Tree Growing Festival, National Inter-High School Sports Festival, National Sports Festival for Disabled People
Princess Kiko: National Blood Donation Promotion Conference

To reduce the burden on the Akishino couple, Princess Mako may attend some events. Prince Akishino retains his honorary patron / president positions at 13 organizations but attendance will be limited.

Princess Nobuko takes the National Young Farmers Summit as announced earlier.

As for Tokyo events:
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will continue to attend the International Youth Conference which was established to commemorate their marriage.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako takes over both Children's Day and Senior Citizen's Day visits (currently alternating between the CP and Akishino couples)
Akishino couple takes over Cultural Agency Art Festival opening ceremony
Princess Kiko takes over Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media (currently attended by CP Naruhito)

Sources: Sankei, Jiji, Mainichi

..... I want Princesses Akiko, Yoko, Hisako, and Tsuguko to get some assignments... please... and what about Kako?

Originally Posted by Ista

Thanks for posting that update, Prisma. Very, very interesting, and yes, I noticed that Hisako, Tsuguko, Kako, Akiko, and Yoko were not included, which seems odd to me. I wonder what that is about? Or if, perhaps, they will take on additional duties, but those will be announced at a later time? All of these women are very capable, so not utilizing them seems wasteful in the extreme.

Originally Posted by Prisma

Maybe the IHA prefers senior royals at such big events? I don't know. At least Princess Nobuko got something. The IHA could spread out the assignments to the other princesses which would 1) reduce the burden on the Akishino family 2) allow Prince Akishino to attend his 13 patronages regularly 3) actually utilize the princesses!!!

So frustrating. They "worry" about lacking royals to carry out public service and then don't give them assignments. Even though Akiko and Hisako are busy, I'm sure they can accommodate any of these events.

Personally, I would give the Cultural Agency Art Festival to Akiko or Mako, National Sports Festival for Disabled People to Yoko, National Inter-High School Sports Festival to Tsuguko, Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media to Hisako, and National Greenery Conservation to Mako or Kako.

Just realized I made a mistake earlier. Princess Kiko (not Noriko) gets Japan Prize International Contest for Educational Media. Google frequently translates 紀子さま as Noriko instead of Kiko.

ETA: rotation is another option. Except for the Imperial couple who are honorary presidents of the Japanese Red Cross, the other senior royals are honorary vice-presidents so the National Blood Donation Promotion Conference can rotate between Akishino and the older female princesses.

Your expert knowledge of the imperial family's assignments is so impressive!

I am in complete agreement with you, in particular the paragraph highlighted above. It unfortunately calls to mind Emperor Akihito's role in the debates on the future of the monarchy. He was an intransigent opponent of female succession until it became plainly clear that Hisahito's birth would not cause Masako and Naruhito to "try harder" to have male children, then he opposed allowing males from other families into the line of succession and blamed the anti-female-succession politicians' inaction for the unstable succession. For the past decade he has reportedly been attempting to persuade the government to include married princesses in the imperial family, but allegedly wanted this to apply only to his own granddaughters. He played up the crucialness of ensuring the visible presence of the royal family in the public domain in order to persuade the public that he must be allowed to abdicate, but now it seems as if he might only want his descendants to be visible faces of the monarchy. I admire Emperor Akihito's many outstanding qualities, including his dynamism and informality, but he sometimes seems to think first of his own interests.

On a different note, the announcements seems to hint that nobody is expecting Mako to exit the imperial family in the near future ...

Originally Posted by Prisma

Emperor, prince to be told era name first - The Japan News

I wonder if any emperor has disliked their era name. That would be extremely awkward. Not only is it their reign name, it's their posthumous name as well.

Good point! I wonder if there was some discreet exploration of Naruhito's feelings on the matter, though the constitutional lawyers would certainly object.

Originally Posted by Prisma

Various events marking Emperor Akihito's 30-year reign:

Railroad show marks Emperor Akihito's 30-year reign | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

Exhibition to mark 30th anniversary of Emperor's enthronement opens at palace - The Mainichi

Tracing Their Majesties’ 30 Years Through the Poems of Their Majesties the Emperor and the Empress, The Museum of the Imperial Collections, Sannomaru Shozokan has photos of gifts the Imperial couple gave each other and the empress' sericulture works

Paperweight from Empress Michiko to Emperor Akihito
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-3.jpg

Thread cabinet from Emperor Akihito to Empress Michiko for her 70th birthday
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-4.jpg

Fabric woven from Koishimaru silk
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-8.jpg
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/event/sann...betu2019-9.jpg

Signing of the Greeting Book for The 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor

Kyoto Imperial Palace. The Special Exhibition Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor.

It is difficult to wrap the mind around the significance of this event in the context of royal history: It will be the end of a thirty-year era in the world's oldest and the world's largest (as measured by the number of subjects) monarchy, and for Japan, the first abdication of the democratic modern era.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Your expert knowledge of the imperial family's assignments is so impressive!

I am in complete agreement with you, in particular the paragraph highlighted above. It unfortunately calls to mind Emperor Akihito's role in the debates on the future of the monarchy. He was an intransigent opponent of female succession until it became plainly clear that Hisahito's birth would not cause Masako and Naruhito to "try harder" to have male children, then he opposed allowing males from other families into the line of succession and blamed the anti-female-succession politicians' inaction for the unstable succession. For the past decade he has reportedly been attempting to persuade the government to include married princesses in the imperial family, but allegedly wanted this to apply only to his own granddaughters. He played up the crucialness of ensuring the visible presence of the royal family in the public domain in order to persuade the public that he must be allowed to abdicate, but now it seems as if he might only want his descendants to be visible faces of the monarchy. I admire Emperor Akihito's many outstanding qualities, including his dynamism and informality, but he sometimes seems to think first of his own interests.

..........................
It is difficult to wrap the mind around the significance of this event in the context of royal history: It will be the end of a thirty-year era in the world's oldest and the world's largest (as measured by the number of subjects) monarchy, and for Japan, the first abdication of the democratic modern era.

I don't find it surprising that Akihito drew a line between his own granddaughters being retained as members of the imperial family, and the princesses from the other branches of the family. Whether it's wise is another whole question (no, it's not wise) but I can see where he's coming from. It would be just three princesses, Aiko, Mako and Kako, so fewer bodies to ruffle the feathers of the purists, and, also to please the purists, those three are closer to the throne, and therefore might be considered of "purer" Imperial blood. So I get that, but I have never really admired how Akihito and Michiko handled Masako and Naruhito's inability to have more children, and it makes me look at Akihito's reported maneuverings regarding this issue with a cynical eye.

I agree that this is a remarkable end to an era. I have truly enjoyed looking at the retrospectives regarding Akihito and Michiko's time on the throne, and especially appreciate Prisma's posts!

[Prisma]

Japan emperor to be addressed with 'emeritus' after abdication - The Mainichi

Japanese Emperor Akihito will be called "emperor emeritus" and Empress Michiko "empress emerita" following his abdication in April, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday.

[...] The agency came up with the English titles through consultation with the Foreign Ministry after studying those used by overseas royal families.

The agency said the word "emeritus" is used to express admiration and respect for the accumulation of experiences and achievements and "suitable to refer to the joko who commands great respect after abdication."

[...]

Emperor Akihito to Be Called Emperor Emeritus after Abdication | Nippon.com

[...]

As far as royal family members are concerned, there has been no case in the world in which the word "emeritus" or "emerita" was used as part of a post-abdication title in English, Yasuhiko Nishimura, vice grand steward of the agency, told a news conference.

Although some retired foreign kings and queens have used the same titles, the Emperor and the Empress will bear the fresh ones to clearly indicate the change in their positions, Nishimura explained.

[...]

[Tatiana Maria]

Thanks! Interesting explanation. Earlier in this forum Mbruno suggested that very translation based on the precedent of the retired Pope, so actually it has been used. Perhaps the vice grand steward was only thinking of abdicated hereditary monarchs.

They also confirm that Fumihito's title will be translated as Crown Prince. Kiko's will be translated as Crown Princess, I assume. However, I expect the foreign media will want to identify them by name and not just the titles The Crown Prince and The Crown Princess; from their perspective, Fumihito will be just one of a whole group of crown princes across the globe. Will the IHA and Foreign Ministry advise them to use "Crown Prince Akishino/Crown Princess Akishino" or "Crown Prince Fumihito/Crown Princess Kiko"?

The second one would seem more normal to me as an English speaker. The British Prince of Wales is called "Prince Charles", not "Prince Wales" or "Prince Mountbatten-Windsor", by the foreign media.


By the way, I found interesting this article comparing the controversy over the era name announcement to female succession and nationalism. I am not sure I agree with its conclusion that the conservatives are being "logically incongruous", but it observes that they hardly cherish traditions from prior to the late 1800s (which would include the ancient tradition of female emperors).

https://www.tokyoreview.net/2019/01/...n-an-era-name/

Like many other “traditions” that conservatives now hold dear, the current system of imperial era names is really a product of the late 1800s, when a large number of national “traditions” were formalized (or in some cases, invented) as part of the “restoration” of imperial power. However, it is important to note that the Meiji Emperor was 15 at the time, and thus held little actual “power”. Since the Meiji Emperor, there have only been three era changes: Taisho (1912), Showa (1926), and Heisei (1989). The current transition also represents the first abdication in over two hundred years. There is not much precedent to employ and no lengthy tradition to rest upon as justification for withholding an announcement, whether formal or informal.

Logical incongruities such as this are a common issue associated with the conservative policies towards the Imperial household. These are the same people that argue that imperial succession must only include male heirs, even though all emperors are supposedly descended from Amaterasu, a female deity. They ascribe divine significance to the royal family but lash out against members of that same family who disagree with their own prescribed version of the imperial way. In sum, they can create friction in situations which may be wholly unwarranted.

[Ista]

I had wondered how the issue of how to refer to and address Akihito and Michiko was going to be handled. I understand the thinking, but it does sound a little awkward to me, and I wonder, from a practical aspect, how often that title will be used in the Western press? I also don't think that it automatically implies admiration and respect, or even that the bearer of the title is retired. To me it sounds as though "emeritus" could imply that the former emperor is of higher status than Naruhito. Perhaps that's the intent. It just goes to show how tricky the issue of translating traditional titles into Western languages is for the Asian countries.

Tatiana Maria, thank you for posting the link to the article. I think it makes some good points, and things that I believe we've commented on in these threads. The conservative elements are perfectly willing to pick and choose which policies and precedents they emphasize when it comes to the Imperial household, and consistency is not always maintained across the board.

[Spheno]

Originally Posted by Ista

I had wondered how the issue of how to refer to and address Akihito and Michiko was going to be handled. I understand the thinking, but it does sound a little awkward to me, and I wonder, from a practical aspect, how often that title will be used in the Western press? I also don't think that it automatically implies admiration and respect, or even that the bearer of the title is retired. To me it sounds as though "emeritus" could imply that the former emperor is of higher status than Naruhito. Perhaps that's the intent. It just goes to show how tricky the issue of translating traditional titles into Western languages is for the Asian countries.
.

emeritus


adjective
adjective: emeritus

1. (of the former holder of an office, especially a university professor) having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honour.
   "emeritus professor of microbiology"
   
   
   
   

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Spheno

emeritus


adjective
adjective: emeritus

1. (of the former holder of an office, especially a university professor) having retired but allowed to retain their title as an honour.
   "emeritus professor of microbiology"
   
   
   
   

Yes, I'm familiar with the word.

[Spheno]

Originally Posted by Ista

Yes, I'm familiar with the word.

Then I don't understand your sentence

To me it sounds as though "emeritus" could imply that the former emperor is of higher status than Naruhito.

[Ista]

I see.

As applied to the title of emperor, emeritus is an unusual usage. What exactly is meant by it is open to interpretation. The Japanese authorities have described what they intend, but, as with many things, words frequently have implications beyond or in addition to what is intended.

In addition, in some Asian cultures there was a tradition that an emperor "retired" and a new emperor was crowned, but the actual power remained in the hands of the "retired" emperor. The Japanese emperor has very little or no real power, except as a symbol, and Akihito has clearly stated that he wishes to be relieved of his duties, so on the face of it "emeritus" is a non standard but acceptable translation/description of "joko." But it potentially has an emotional load, so we'll see how that plays out.

[Spheno]

Emeritus means "former", nothing more. And this title is for English-speaking public, not locals.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Spheno

Emeritus means "former", nothing more. And this title is for English-speaking public, not locals.

That's not actually true. Almost all words have additional meanings, and that is certainly true of "emeritus" which has implications of status and experience, among others. That's why even words that are considered synonyms are frequently not interchangeable because there are subtle distinctions that skew the meaning.

However, that's an off-topic discussion. As pertains to this thread, my bottom line is that it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Duc_et_Pair]

We have an Emeritus Pope and no one is confused who THE Pope is. It is no big deal.

[Ista]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

We have an Emeritus Pope and no one is confused who THE Pope is. It is no big deal.

I don't believe I said it was.

[Spheno]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

We have an Emeritus Pope and no one is confused who THE Pope is. It is no big deal.

Agree......

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by Ista

I had wondered how the issue of how to refer to and address Akihito and Michiko was going to be handled. I understand the thinking, but it does sound a little awkward to me, and I wonder, from a practical aspect, how often that title will be used in the Western press?

Yes, it wouldn't surprise me either if the Western press ignores the IHA's official translation and calls them "ex-emperor and ex-empress" or "retired emperor and empress" or simply continues to call them "Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko", in the same way that the Pope Emeritus is still called "Pope Benedict" in the press.

Originally Posted by Ista

To me it sounds as though "emeritus" could imply that the former emperor is of higher status than Naruhito. Perhaps that's the intent. It just goes to show how tricky the issue of translating traditional titles into Western languages is for the Asian countries.

Originally Posted by Ista

That's not actually true. Almost all words have additional meanings, and that is certainly true of "emeritus" which has implications of status and experience, among others. That's why even words that are considered synonyms are frequently not interchangeable because there are subtle distinctions that skew the meaning.

The IHA seems to perceive the implication of status and experience as a benefit of choosing "emeritus". I noticed from the quotes in post #644 that the IHA and Foreign Ministry began by studying the (English) titles used by overseas royal families, but apparently dismissed those options and chose a title that the vice grand steward claims has never been used in English (although it has). Their choice could be explained by his statement that "'emeritus' is used to express admiration and respect for the accumulation of experiences and achievements and 'suitable to refer to the joko who commands great respect after abdication'", since the more traditional English options of "Emperor Akihito" or "Emperor Father" do not sound (at least to me) as "respectful" as "Emperor Emeritus".

The "jo" in the real title, "joko", does imply a higher status than the current emperor to some extent. Many of the earlier English articles in the media translated it as "Grand Emperor". As the press reported, this was one motive for the government's original wish to come up with a new title for Akihito instead of the traditional "joko". (Personally, I'm pleased that they followed tradition in the end.)