To the Point
Japan's 2,500 year-old monarchy at a crossroads
For the first time in 2500 years, the Emperor of Japan is asking to step down . Emperor Akihito has been stripped of all authority and can't retire on his own. He's 82 years old and he's suffers from cancer — but abdication has implications beyond his personal problems.
By Warren Olney • • 10m ListenFor the first time in 2500 years, the Emperor of Japan is asking to step down. Emperor Akihito has been stripped of all authority and can't retire on his own. He's 82 years old and he's suffers from cancer — but abdication has implications beyond his personal problems.
President Barack Obama with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (C), Crown Prince Naruhito and
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Tokyo Imperial Palaceon April 24, 2014
State Department photo by William Ng
Herbert Bix is professor emeritus at Binghamton University at the State University of New York. He's author of Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan, a Pulitzer Prize winner for nonfiction.
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The full episode
3 of 3Cyberwars, voter insecurity and threats of civil unrest- 1:57The UN calls for humanitarian pause in Aleppo
- 8:51Can voters believe that all their votes will be counted?
- 42:07Japan's 2,500 year-old monarchy at a crossroadsYou’re reading this