Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication • Hacker News Board

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#11

Post by 3JPLW » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 3:48 PM UTC

tombert wrote: post #9

I'll admit a lot of ignorance on this; what does the Emperor of Japan actually do now? Japan has a prime minister position, doesn't it? Is the Emperor a figurehead or do they have power?

In the first section of the article:

> While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#12

Post by js2 » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 3:51 PM UTC

yingw787 wrote: post #3

If you haven't been already, the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo are very much worth a visit. I don't think I've ever been in an area that just felt so sacred. If mahogany green was ever a thing, that's what the colors of those trees were. And bonsais that were several hundred years old. Personally, I don't even think Kyoto gives the same vibe. It's amazing.

Out of curiosity, what other places have you visited that you’re comparing it to?

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#13

Post by tombert » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 3:52 PM UTC

3JPLW wrote: post #11

tombert wrote: post #9

I'll admit a lot of ignorance on this; what does the Emperor of Japan actually do now? Japan has a prime minister position, doesn't it? Is the Emperor a figurehead or do they have power?

In the first section of the article: > While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Fair point, I should learn to read. Thanks!

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#14

Post by sithadmin » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 3:54 PM UTC

tombert wrote: post #9

I'll admit a lot of ignorance on this; what does the Emperor of Japan actually do now? Japan has a prime minister position, doesn't it? Is the Emperor a figurehead or do they have power?

It's a role that's exclusively ceremonial. While the Emperor participates in government, it's to do things like appoint a PM and other officials (but the Emperor is compelled to appoint those selected by the legislature), officiate opening/closing type ceremonies, issue honors/awards, participate in soft diplomatic relations, etc. So in a way, the role has some small degree of 'power', but it's 'on rails' so to speak, and in theory doesn't directly impact policymaking or governance.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#15

Post by utexaspunk » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:00 PM UTC

3JPLW wrote: post #11

tombert wrote: post #9

I'll admit a lot of ignorance on this; what does the Emperor of Japan actually do now? Japan has a prime minister position, doesn't it? Is the Emperor a figurehead or do they have power?

In the first section of the article: > While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Sounds like a pretty good gig. How do I apply?

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#16

Post by astrodust » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:06 PM UTC

utexaspunk wrote: post #15

3JPLW wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the first section of the article: > While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Sounds like a pretty good gig. How do I apply?

If you've got a time machine and a really good gene splicer you too can be the emperor.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#17

Post by rubiquity » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:07 PM UTC

utexaspunk wrote: post #15

3JPLW wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the first section of the article: > While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Sounds like a pretty good gig. How do I apply?

Hey thanks for your interest but right now we're looking for people with 800+ years in lineage and 8 years of WebAssembly experience.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#18

Post by nihonde » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:11 PM UTC

utexaspunk wrote: post #15

3JPLW wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In the first section of the article: > While the emperor holds no political power, he serves as a national figurehead.

Sounds like a pretty good gig. How do I apply?

I mean he basically begged to be fired, so it’s probably not all that much fun. They sacrifice any semblance of normalcy and have an endless calendar of ceremonies and events. Emperor Akihito acquitted himself pretty well in the job, and most people in Japan seem to be either indifferent to the royals or appreciate their focus on peace and calm and continuity. They’re a pretty boring royal family, which means they’re doing a good job I think.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#19

Post by sdegutis » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:14 PM UTC

That's sad. In my observation of governments, if they do not have a single strong leader at the very top who answers to no one but serves everyone, then those who do govern will be so scattered in their plans and opinions that the government will be rendered almost completely ineffective at fulfilling its primary duties. A single strong leader at the top is needed, someone with courage and a strong resolve, and a clear vision of what's best for his country. It may be said that "absolute power corrupts absolutely" but not if the man believes in and is led by absolute truth, such as was King Louis of France.

Re: Emperor Akihito: Japanese monarch declares historic abdication

#20

Post by jcranmer » Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 4:16 PM UTC

jon-wood wrote: post #5

I seem to remember there was something a while back about what the next Japanese era would be named. Is it normal for them to prepare for that so that they're not scrabbling to find a new one when the emperor dies, or was there a general awareness that Akihito would be abdicating in the near future?

This was a preplanned abdication, so there was a lot of planning involved. For example, Unicode reserved the era name code point, but couldn't actually announce the code point because it wasn't announced until April 1. Similarly, people who have to support the Japanese calendar (such as Microsoft) had dry runs to plan for the name change with placeholders so they could update quickly.

This is the first time that the era has changed when computers were in widespread use, so there already had to be changes from the traditional "we're not going to announce the new era until it starts" (much to the chagrin of the ultra-nationalists).