The pillar of the nation: Japan’s former Empress Michiko is 90

The news shocked many Japanese people. Former Empress Michiko fell in her residence and broke her right femur, Japan’s state media reported. Shortly before her 90th birthday today, October 20th, the deeply revered ex-empress, mother of Emperor Naruhito and wife of ex-Emperor Akihito, had to undergo an operation.

Shortly afterwards, the household office was able to report that the operation had been successful. However, Michiko will probably have to spend her special day in the hospital bed. She is expected to stay in hospital for up to two weeks, Japanese media reported. The timing of their release depends on the progress of rehabilitation, the court said.

Akihito, who had already turned 90 on December 23 last year, was naturally relieved that his beloved wife’s operation at the University of Tokyo Hospital was successful, as Japan’s court reporters respectfully reported. After all, both of their health have not been good for a long time. The couple lives in seclusion in a residence in the heart of the capital, not far from their old imperial palace. It was by no means a given that Akihito and Michiko would spend the rest of their lives in this residence, where they once lived as the crown prince couple.

Actually, Japan’s emperors are in office until death and spend their lives until the end behind the chrysanthemum curtain of the palace. But Akihito wanted it different. In 2019 he abdicated for health reasons, becoming the first monarch in around 200 years to hand over the throne to his successor while still alive. And so, after completing the renovations, Akihito and Michiko returned to their old residence. According to their subjects, the aged ex-monarch couple have more than earned their retirement. The people hope that Michiko will continue to be a pillar of the nation alongside her husband for a long time to come.

What will never be forgotten is how Michiko and her husband worked tirelessly for their country over the decades. How they encouraged the victims of natural disasters, visited old people’s homes and facilities for the disabled and presented themselves as a dignified symbol of their country on international trips. Japan’s court reporters spoke of a “spirit of selflessness and motherly love” that Michiko had for her people.

But her well-deserved retirement is not without worries. On the one hand, there is her health, which has been a source of concern for years, even if the couple doesn’t make much of a fuss about it. She is at least equally concerned about the unresolved question of the succession to the throne. Japanese court law still prohibits women on the throne. However, Prince Hisahito (18), son of Akihito’s youngest son, Crown Prince Akishino, is the only remaining male member of the youngest generation of the imperial family.

If one day Prince Hisahito does not provide for male offspring at court, then “the imperial family will cease to exist,” according to imperial expert Ernst Lokowandt. However, if the court law were changed so that the first-born child – regardless of gender – takes the throne, the problem of offspring would be solved. Then this would also be possible for a daughter. In other words: Michiko’s granddaughter Aiko would become empress.

So it depends on politics whether their and Akihito’s hopes for a secure future for the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy will be fulfilled. It would have been a worthy gift for Michiko’s 90th birthday. But now the couple has to wait even at 90 years old.