Akihito Skirts War Blame Question

Japan’s Emperor Akihito told reporters today he was unable to comment on whether his late father, Hirohito, bore responsibility for World War II, but said those who thought so should enjoy freedom of speech.

It was the 55-year-old monarch’s first news conference since he succeeded Hirohito, who died Jan. 7 at the age of 87.

“I am not in a position to comment on war responsibility,” a soft-spoken Akihito said.

But he said that in a democracy people should enjoy freedom of speech even if it included comments on Hirohito’s war role or the imperial system.

“Upholding freedom of speech is essential to democracy,” Akihito said. He was referring to Hitoshi Motoshima, mayor of Nagasaki, who has received right-wing death threats since saying Hirohito bore responsibility for the war.

“I feel great pain at the suffering and deaths of people in Japan and outside Japan during the last war,” the emperor added.

Akihito, accompanied by Empress Michiko, expressed hope that he will be able to visit China and South Korea, but said he deferred to the Japanese government on such plans.

Visits Have Significance

“I think there is meaning to such visits,” Akihito said.

Imperial diplomatic overtures to the two nations, which Japan occupied during World War II, have been a controversial subject because resentment lingers.

Today’s grilling was probably the hardest ever faced by a Japanese emperor. Up to Japan’s defeat in World War II, Hirohito was worshiped by his people as a living god and to his death was held at a respectful distance.

The televised news conference could be seen as an indication that there will be more give-and-take between the new emperor and the outside world.

In the postwar period Hirohito met with the press only once a year for a brief audience, but no hard-hitting questions were ever asked.

Today’s news conference was the first time an emperor had met with foreign journalists since 1975 when Hirohito visited the United States.

Empress Michiko, demure in a simple beige dress and pearls, said her 30 years of marriage to Akihito have been happy.

“He is kind-hearted and has kindly accepted me as I am,” she said. “He has brought me along and led me with great kindness.”

Born a commoner, her marriage to Akihito in 1959 broke imperial precedent. Up to then imperial consorts sprang exclusively from a select few aristocratic families.

“The emperor has a heavy responsibility, and I would like to create a home where he can relax,” she said softly.