Wikilatief - Why did the Japanese empire exist so long ? Keep in mind that Japan is famous for its Shinto mystics, difficult thrones, sacred imperial treasures, and Potsdam declaration agreements with the United States.
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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and 400 other top officials also witnessed the ritual. The 'Daijosai' ritual is the most religious of all naruhito succession rituals. From 3:00 a.m.,
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When the ritual that began from sunset ended, Naruhito emerged from behind the temple's white curtain after spending a symbolic night with the sun goddess 'Amaterasu Omikami'.
This ritual is basically a feast involving the sun goddess and emperor," said John Breen, a professor at Kyoto's International Research Center for Japanese Studies, citing ReutersIa also adding that most coronations have mystical elements.
"The Emperor was transformed by taking part in this party," he explained. But as it turns out, the course of this ceremony is not as smooth as the reality.
This event received a lot of criticism from communists to Christians in Japan. The ritual also sparked lawsuits for spending fantastic funds.
The country spent 2.7 billion yen or aboutto perform this ritual. In addition, this ritual also generates many negative thoughts from the public who consider spending the night with the sun goddess means having sex with the goddess.
However, the government and experts say that is not true. The ritual was a time when the emperor worshiped the sun goddess by offering her a certain amount of food.
The culture of the Japanese empire was different from other royal cultures such as the British Empire. Here are some differences as quoted from Time:
Emperor has the office of a llifetime
When Emperor Akihito abdicates, he will become the first Japanese emperor to do so in more than 200 years.
The 1889 laws required the emperor to rule until his death to avoid a power struggle between the descendants of other emperors.
Exceptions were made for Akihito, who had undergone heart surgery and treatment for prostate cancer.
Japan is believed to be the world's oldest monarchy
Although the Gregorian calendar is widely used in Japan, the country has its own calendar system that began in 660 BC, when Emperor Jimmu, Japan's first emperor, founded Japan.
He ruled until 585 BC. When Crown Prince Naruhito takes over the throne on Wednesday (30/4), he will become Japan's 126th emperor.
United States overhauls post-World War II emperor duties
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The U.S.-drafted constitution, which came into force in 1947, gives more power to Japan's legislature and "strips" the emperor of all political power.
Read too : The history of the invasion of Mongol troops to Japan. Has Japan experienced a culture shock?
Under this new rule, the emperor's role is to act as a "symbol of the State and the unity of the People."
The Postdam Declaration was a declaration made by Harry S Truman (President of the United States), Winston Churchill (British Prime Minister) and Chiang Kai-Shek (President, Commander-in-Chief of China) for Japan to surrender.
Here're the contents of the Postdam Declaration:
The time has come for Japan to decide whether to let its nation be controlled by its military advisers who follow its own desires with unrealistic calculations, which have brought the Japanese Empire to the brink of destruction, or will Japan choose a path based on common sense.
The following are our terms. We will not be deviated from those conditions. There is also no other option.
We won't accept stalling. The power and influence of those who mislead the Japanese people to try to conquer the world must be put to account for ever, because we believe that a new order of peace-loving, safe, and just is impossible to form without irresponsible militarism, claimed from the face of the earth.
We do not intend to enslave the Japanese or exterminate them as a nation, but all war criminals must be tried harshly, including those who commit atrocities against prisoners. Why did the Japanese empire exist so long ?
The Japanese government must remove barriers to the rise of freedom and democracy and must strengthen it among the Japanese people.
The freedom to express opinions, religion and thinking must be upheld as well as respect for human rights.
We urge the Japanese government to now also declare that all its armed forces surrender unconditionally. Another option for Japan means total damage in the immediate term.
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It was during the Postdam declaration that the Japanese Empire seemed to be a coward at the feet of the United States
Women do not have the right to ascend the throne in Japan
They are required to give up their royal title if they marry commoners. Nevertheless, Japan has discussed the possibility of changing the rules to allow women's participation over the past few decades due to concerns that the monarchy will die.
Gender equality in Japan to lead the Japanese Empire was just a dream.
Deity of the Emperor of Japan
According to Japanese mythology, the emperor and his family were considered direct descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu, a Shinto goddess.
Although the role of post-World War II emperor was controversial, allies have taken steps to remove power from the almighty emperor and bring down the 'Shinto' sovereignty after the war.
Although the Japanese emperors still withdrew their lineage from Amaterasu, they no longer claimed to be gods. Emperor Hirohito relinquished his divinity status after Japan lost World War II. Why did the Japanese empire exist so long ?
According to Professor Kawanishi there are many people in Japan who still consider them to be endowed with divine power, but most people now "consider them more than ornaments, somewhat similar to crowns if in other monarchies".
They were especially important because they "showed the mystery of the emperor," he said, and as "a symbol that the imperial system continued from time immemorial".
Sacred Treasure
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Professor Takenaka said there was also a view among scholars that the three sacred treasures represented a fusion of Japan's ancient indigenous groups with newcomers.
Based on that theory, he said, the three sacred treasures were symbols that the emperor had to unite ethnic groups without discrimination.
But he added that in the 20th century, the term "three treasures" also took on a slightly more practical meaning, namely the expression for three things that are very important to Japanese life: TV, refrigerator, and washing machine.
(Why did the Japanese empire exist so long ?)