The 20th Broadyard Workshop (博雅工作坊) of the Institute of Area Studies, Peking University (PKUIAS), titled "The Reiwa Era: The Past and Present of the Japanese Monarchical System," was held at the Yingjie Exchange Center on June 10, 2019. More than ten Chinese and Japanese scholars from universities and academic institutions, including Yokohama City University, Hosei University, Peking University, the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Nankai University, engaged in academic exchanges and discussions related to the topic.

In May this year, the abdication of Emperor Akihito and the dawning of the Reiwa era not only sparked considerable reaction in Japanese society but also captured attention all over the world. Although Emperor Akihito's self-initiated proposal to abdicate had neither a constitutional basis nor recommendation or recognition from the cabinet, the Abe administration actively supported it by rapidly approving a special-case bill and energetically playing up the drama of abdication and accession. Clearly, the emperor and the monarchical system continue to have a strong influence on social and even political fields in Japan. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democratic Party and the LDP-led government hope to take advantage of the emperor’s authority to increase their ruling legitimacy and achieve political goals. Based on this background, the scholars conducted in-depth discussions from multiple perspectives, including the historical evolution of the monarchical system; the monarchical system and Japanese culture; Japanese national characteristics and changes in public feeling toward the emperor; the social, political, and diplomatic functions of the monarchical system; the modern monarchical system; and the symbolic monarchical system.

Prof. Misa Manabe, former Chief Research Officer at the Japanese Imperial Household Agency and current associate professor at Atomi University, said that analysis of the data from public polls on the attitude of citizens toward the monarchical system conducted by NHK since 1973 revealed that, under the Constitution of Japan, although the Shōwa Emperor followed Meiji Emperor's strict observance of the constitution, he did not of his own initiative explore ways of shaping his image as a “symbolic emperor” who reigns solely at the will of Japanese citizens. While the results of the polls did not repudiate the monarchical system, they indicated that the monarchical system is no longer an indispensable part of citizens’ life that is accepted uncritically. Prof. Manabe also analyzed changes in the survey data during the Heisei era from 1993 to explore implications of Emperor Akihito’s efforts to be closer to the people; indeed, his efforts increased citizens’ favorable opinion of the emperor. Unlike the Shōwa Emperor, Emperor Akihito was acutely aware of the necessity of proactively exploring and shaping the ideal image of a symbolic emperor. Prof. Manabe stated that Emperor Akihito’s change of attitude resulted from the ability of modern media to directly and openly express public opinions about the Imperial House. Willingly or not, the Imperial House, led by the emperor, has had to accept the painful reality that they need to entertain citizens’ expectations and seek their approval. This situation has come about largely due to the personal character of Emperor Akihito, and signifies that the monarchical system has entered a period of instability in which the emperor’s authority is largely determined by his personal conduct.

Prof. Ikuyo Matsumoto from Yokohama City University explained how the enthronement of the Japanese emperor has changed to support the legitimacy of accession. The foundation of the emperor's legitimacy has experienced historical vicissitudes. In the pre-modern period, the emperor was the only priest who had the right to offer sacrifices to Amaterasu-ōmikami, the ancestral deity of the Imperial Family. In modern times, the legitimacy of the emperor proceeded from the State Shintō ideology and the Constitution of the Empire of Japan; contemporary legitimacy relies on the Constitution of Japan.

Prof. Zhang Jianli, director of the Culture Department of the Institute of Japanese Studies, CASS, discussed Japanese citizens' feelings toward the monarchical system and the emperor. In the post-war period, Japanese citizens' pursuit and support of the monarchical system indicates the relatively high level of their functional need for the emperor and their feelings for the emperor's personal conduct, which were mainly inspired by the Shōwa Emperor’s Humanity Declaration, Emperor Akihito's amiable attitude and behavior, and Emperor Naruhito's personal background. Prof. Li Zhuo from the Japan Institute, Nankai University, interpreted the history of the formulation and modification of the Imperial Household Law. The current post-war Imperial Household Law was formulated on the basis of the Imperial Household Law of 1889, which was established during the Meiji era to address the chaotic situation with regard to imperial succession. The revised statute lost its co-equal status with the Constitution of the Empire of Japan and became subordinate to the Constitution of Japan; furthermore, it refuted the principle of self-regulation previously enjoyed by the Imperial House and considerably reduced the scale of the Imperial Family. Li Zhuo expressed his belief that there is a disconnect between the Imperial Household Law and contemporary society, and the Law will not be able to save the Imperial House from a succession crisis.

The attendees also had heated discussions about post-war relations between the emperor and Japanese society and the emperor’s authority and identity with respect to Japanese citizens. Prof. Misa Manabe pointed out the difference between the Shōwa Emperor and Emperor Akihito, both of whom strictly followed the Constitution of Japan. She said that the Shōwa Emperor did not pay special attention to Japanese citizens' comments about and emotional need for the emperor. By contrast, Emperor Akihito, whose personal life with Empress Michiko was the topic of intense public discussion, made considerable efforts to take into account Japanese citizens' feelings and need for the emperor while abiding by the constitution in order to continue to fulfill his functions as emperor. Largely due to Emperor Akihito’s charisma, the symbolic monarchical system in post-war Japan has gradually gained more recognition from Japanese society and people. Meanwhile, Japanese citizens have had more freedom to express opinions about members of the Imperial House. Therefore, the occasion of the abdication of Emperor Akihito evoked a wide range of responses from people adopting different stances and perspectives.

During the discussions, participants expressed their belief that the authority of the emperor among Japanese citizens derives from the idea that the emperor is part of a direct line of historical succession. However, in contemporary society, the emperor can shape and consolidate his authority and image among the public through his deliberate activities and through the media.