The Political Effects of the Symbolic Emperor of Japan:An Approach Using Chinese Political Thought
Author: Shinsuke Yasui
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
The symbolic Emperor of Japan, a monarch without power, has emerged as a prominent subject of academic discourse since the Constitution of Japan was promulgated in 1946. The Constitution of Japan regulated the power of the Tenno (the Emperor of Japan) and defined his position as “the symbol of the unity of the people.” Therefore, a key point of discussion is how to recognize the political effects of the symbolic Tenno. How can a monarch without power produce political effects? How can these effects be maximized? This essay examines these questions using the theory of shi (勢), which was built in the realm of Chinese political thought, providing an unprecedented viewpoint for understanding the political power of the symbolic Tenno. Furthermore, since this study applies Chinese political thought to an issue of modern politics, the importance and validity of Chinese political thought is verified.
Keywords：Rule of Morality、Shi、Symbolic Emperor of Japan、Symbolic Monarchy、Wuwei (Inaction)