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Why is Japan getting a new emperor?

Naruhito (R) and Crown Princess Masako of Japan arrive for a religious ceremony marking the abdication of Queen Beatrix and the investiture of her eldest son Willem-Alexander
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By Philip Whiteside, international news reporter

Question: What was Donald Trump told was "100 times bigger" than the Super Bowl?

According to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, it is the investiture of the country's new emperor, which is due to start on Wednesday and which Mr Trump asked whether he should attend.

It brings to an end the reign of Emperor Akihito, who abdicated on Tuesday. He is the first emperor to step down out of choice in more than 200 years.

The new emperor of what some believe to be home of the oldest hereditary monarchy in the world is the former Crown Prince, Oxford-educated Naruhito.

Who is Akihito and why is he quitting?

When Akihito became head of state in 1989, he inherited the legacy of a monarchy that was mired in controversy.

The previous emperor, Hirohito, was head of his country during the Second World War.

More on Japan

Hirohito, said to be the 124th emperor of Japan
Image: Hirohito, said to be the 124th emperor of Japan

Japan formed an alliance with Nazi Germany and fascist Italy and many historians have said Hirohito, impressed at the success of Germany's armed forces, pushed to follow their example, leading to the Pearl Harbour attack and full scale war in the east.

Hirohito's eventual humiliating surrender, after millions of lives were lost, shaped the way Japan saw itself and its monarchy in all subsequent generations.

President Harry Truman holds up the official Japanese document of surrender with Hirohito's signature
Image: President Harry Truman holds up the official Japanese document of surrender with Hirohito's signature

His father was never prosecuted for war crimes, as leaders of other axis countries were if they survived, and Akihito eventually inherited a Japan that had rebuilt itself to the point it was the world's second largest economy.

Akihito broke with centuries of tradition by marrying a commoner in 1959 and, after his accession, continued with a more informal, modern style, making efforts to meet his people and travelling around a country where the older generation still hold deep-seated, and in Western eyes almost fawning, respect.

Japan's Emperor Hirohito reads a newspaper while Empress Kojun and Crown Prince Akihito look on
Image: Akihito, pictured (right) with his father Hirohito and mother Nagako, was 12 when the war ended

He has spoken of his "remorse" for the war and offered condolences for all those who died, amid ongoing resentment at Japanese brutality against prisoners of war and civilian populations in countries Japan invaded.

In 2016, at the age of 82, he announced he feared his age was making it difficult for him to fulfil his duties, prompting the government to discuss abdication.

Akihito and Michiko on the day they were married in 1959
Image: Akihito and Michiko on the day they were married in 1959

Who will be the new Imperial family?

Naruhito is the elder of Akihito's two sons, with his wife Empress Michiko.

Unlike his father, who became a teenager soon after the war ended, Naruhito's formative years were during the period when Japan powered ahead, at the forefront of technological developments.

Naruhito and bride Masako in formal ancient ritual robes they wore for their wedding
Image: Naruhito and Masako in their formal robes on their wedding in 1993

At the age of 23, he started three years at the University of Oxford where he wrote a thesis on boat travel on the Thames in the 18th century and gathered inspiration for his later memoir The Thames and I.

While in England, he took part in drama, played tennis and golf and enjoyed climbing each of the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales.

Naruhito and Masako leave the Imperial hospital with their newborn daughter Princess Aiko
Image: Naruhito and Masako leave the Imperial hospital with their newborn daughter Princess Aiko

On meeting the British royal family, he was amazed at the relaxed manners of members like the Queen and also travelled around meeting other members of European royal families.

Just after finishing at Oxford, he met the daughter of a Japanese Harvard law professor, Masako Owada, who would herself go on to study at Oxford. He had to ask her hand three times and in 1993 they married.

Japan's Emperor Akihito (4th L) smiles as Empress Michiko (3rd R) takes the hand of their grandson, Prince Hisahito,
Image: Naruhito's daughter Aiko is not due to inherit as she is a female, so Prince Hisahito (2nd R) will be the next emperor

The couple are said to have struggled with the demands of their position, with the crown princess, who has one daughter, failing to provide the male heir required to succeed under Japanese law.

She is reported to have suffered from stress-induced depression and has largely stayed out of the limelight since the early 2000s.

Crown Princess Masako (C) poses for a family photo with Crown Prince Naruhito and their daughter Princess Aiko
Image: Masako and Naruhito pose for a rare family photo with their daughter Princess Aiko in 2016

Their 17-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, has spent some time at Eton and is said to be a fan of sumo wrestling.

She will not inherit the throne and is expected to lose her royal title if she marries a commoner. The next emperor is likely to be her cousin, Prince Hisahito, the son of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko, or it might be his father, who is next in line to the throne.

What is happening over the next few weeks and months?

On Saturday, a 10-day holiday celebrating the succession started across Japan - an extended version of the Golden Week which every year coincides with four days-worth of official holidays to celebrate various emperors' birthdays and other national events.

Travellers rushed to visit tourist spots, with many heading to the Imperial Palace which will be the centre of the action.

Akihito and Michiko during the enthronement ceremony in 1990
Image: Akihito and Michiko during their enthronement ceremony in 1990

During Golden Week, many Japanese companies close down completely, and this year, with the addition of three more days of holidays adding to the incentive for many to get away, it is expected many may give their workers the whole holiday period off.

A ceremony took place on 30 April in the Imperial Palace's Hall of Pine, broadcast on national TV, in which officials carried in various seals and two of Japan's Three Sacred Treasures before Mr Abe announced the abdication and Akihito made his final remarks.

On 1 May, the seals and two 'treasures' were placed in front of the new emperor as proof of his rightful succession in a ceremony attended by a small group of adult male royalty and senior government ministers. After, Naruhito made his first remarks, which were closely observed for signs of his goals for his reign.

Akihito (rear L) and Michiko receive the Japanese PM's banzai
Image: Akihito (rear L) and Michiko receive the Japanese PM's banzai

On 4 May, Naruhito and Masako make their first public appearance as emperor and empress, greeting well-wishers at the Imperial Palace. They appear six times during the day and are expected to be seen by as many as 100,000 people.

Later in the autumn, on 22 October, Naruhito is officially enthroned in a ceremony expected to be attended by dignitaries from up to 200 countries. Soon after, on 14 and 15 November, the new emperor will hold a thanksgiving ceremony, offering newly harvested rice and sake wine to his ancestors.

What will Naruhito have to do as emperor?

Unlike that of his grandfather, who was head of the country's army and navy, Naruhito's role as head of the Chrysanthemum Throne, as Japan's seat of power is known, will be purely symbolic.

The constitution, written in 1946, states that the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people".

The Duke of Edinburgh (L) and the Queen receive Emperor Akihito (2nd R) and Empress Michiko of Japan in 1998
Image: Akihito (2nd R) and Michiko have had to visit foreign countries in state visits like this one to the UK in 1998

But, like in Britain, he is officially responsible for appointing the prime minister based on the result of elections and officially sanctioning laws and treaties, according to the will of the government.

Like the Queen, he will have to receive guests of the state and make overseas visits to further the diplomatic interests of his country.

He will also be expected to maintain contact with the people of Japan, by attending events.

Akihito and Michiko welcome Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia to Tokyo in 2007
Image: The Royal couple welcomed Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia to Tokyo in 2007

One of his first international roles will be to attend major sporting events Japan is hosting, including the Olympic Games, of which he is a national patron, and possibly the Rugby World Cup.

He may also have to host Mr Trump who promised to visit after the investiture on 24 and 25 May.

What is not so clear is whether Naruhito will be able to continue his UN-level interest in ensuring countries around the world have supplies of drinking water.

What will happen to Akihito and his wife?

Akihito will hold a new title, Emperor Emeritus, but will be fully retired from official duties.

He will no longer be expected to receive foreign dignitaries, attend government events or perform palace rituals and will even be banned from attending his son's succession rituals.

Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attend an awards ceremony in April
Image: Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attend an awards ceremony in April

Although there is no precedent in recent times, Mr Abe's government has decided his activities should be strictly private so as not to interfere with the serving emperor.

But he is expected to enjoy his retirement, possibly by indulging his interest in museums and concerts.

His interests include researching the goby fish, one branch of which was named after him in 2005.