New emperor expected to remain close to the people in changing society

Be nice to see a wider view of the crowd that protested. There was nothing on the news about this, and I for one would equate this "protest" to the folks who want Okinawa to be independent, they are just fringe groups, getting some press here, because no one else cares.

I agree with the protestor in the photo. Haven’t we as a society evolved to the point that we no longer require a human “symbol of the state”? It’s a tremendous waste of resources.

Politics of the system aside, that's the most beautiful smile I've seen from her since it was revealed that she was suffering from "stress" related (perhaps depression) disorder. Hopefully she's on the road to recovery.

I wish the exiting emperor a long life with good health, and the new emperor a life of benevolence to his country and people.

On the whole, the celebrations are produced by the government and medias. Most Japanese are indifferent. People are busy tied up with their everyday life in the cruel competitive society. The imperial family members are guaranteed their livelihood but no freedom. I do not want to live like them. Who made the emperor the "symbol" ?  Was it  GHQ and translated from English into Japanese? What is the definition of King or Queen of Britain? Let me know if anybody knows, please.

More than 95% of the people support the imperial family 

Actually, the AP reports that recent media surveys have public support for the imperial family at 80 percent. Only 67 percent of respondents to a Mainichi poll last year said that Emperor Akihito had fulfilled his role “sufficiently.” And half the respondents to the same poll reported feeling a detachment between them and the Imperial Family.

Regardless, it’s hard to justify the exorbitant expense.

The emperor really should maintain a soft stance given the LDPs obvious right wing and nationalist ties. The idea is beautiful harmony? Then now it’s important to live that.

The Japanese monarchy is very similar to the British monarchy. The monarch is little more than a face for the people. They do not actively participate in the running of the country and have very little actual power over politics and legislation. This makes the headline nonsense. One cannot help society by smiling at them.

People are indifferent and more into the world accessible via smartphones. This was different when they got married years ago..

People may have gotten out for the countdown to Reiwa but did you see the people on the sidewalks yesterday waiting to catch a glimpse of the new emperor and empress? A pretty low turnout.

Can't really see the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho) allowing the Empress to leverage her limited 'international experience' to assist her duties, or improving the lot of women and others here in Japan. They are not exactly a progressive organisation, with a mindset firmly in the Jomon period.

The monarch is little more than a face for the people.

Not true, they weld massive influence behind the scenes.

doesn't really matter what he does since he does not have any power. just a figurehead

Nice picture of the royal couple,Masako Sama really has sacrificed so much for her husband. Best of luck to them but shame the House of Tenno is so misogynistic. Woman will never be taken as equals when the constitution forbids it.

I mean if he's an emperor or not it's like many people said he's just a figure like the queen of England, i don't see any harm in having those people as long as they do help their people and do their best to motivate them when they need, i think some countries need those figures to make them feel better, Also they don't have political power so if someone want to "protest" he should be doing that against those political people.

I hope from him the best and wish he do more for the Japanese people.

What is the definition of King or Queen of Britain? Let me know if anybody knows, please.

Head of State.

@Ex-res ....https://www.britpolitics.co.uk/what-is-the-british-monarchy

The picture above , "We don't need an emperor" what are the pro's and cons? the pro's out weigh the cons, in this case, around 95% of the public are in favour, I've/we have had the same argument here in the UK, over our queen, the usual argument, like tax burden, whats she done for use, she /they dont pay tax, well most of these shallow arguments have been discussed and things have changed, the queen does now pay tax, and as I have explained to some people what she has done for the country, but the main argument for keeping the queen or emperor is "stability" in that country, which is priceless, if not you have a power vacuum and then your have dictators or the army trying to run the country, and we've all seen what results that has.

The new emperor Naruhito looks very happy than the time he was the crown prince.

wanderlustMay 2  10:12 am JST

Can't really see the Imperial Household Agency (Kunaicho) allowing the Empress to leverage her limited 'international experience' to assist her duties, or improving the lot of women and others here in Japan. They are not exactly a progressive organisation, with a mindset firmly in the Jomon period.

And this is part of the reason I was disappointed that she married into the imperial family. She could have been a lot more influential in government or the private sector than will be allowed in her role as empress.

SchopenhauerMay 2  03:48 pm JST

The new emperor Naruhito looks very happy than the time he was the crown prince.

He also looks considerably more distinguished than he did in his younger days.

It's a Family affair, they are the Upper class, we are the plebs.

When I first started studying Japanese language and history (1967-1968), "progressive" people generally thought the Japanese monarchy was a "feudal anachronism" that should be abolished. It is hilarious to see mostly foreign commentators seeing the possibility of female emperors as making the imperial household a force for female empowerment in Japan.

As a Japanese citizen and taxpayer, I do not object to the monarchy. It doesn't cost that much. I do, however, find it hard to see the monarchy with or without women as a significant force for social and political change. Not only that, seeing the monarchy as a force for social and political change was precisely what 1930s rightist revolutionaries such as Kita Ikki wanted.

More than a little amusing that contemporary "progressive thinking people" and 1930s rightists are on the same wavelength when it comes to how the monarchy might be used.