Japan to Downsize Emperor Emeritus Akihito's Funeral Rite
Tokyo, Sept. 2 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Imperial Household Agency is considering holding a funeral rite for Emperor Emeritus Akihito on a considerably smaller scale than that of his father, Emperor Hirohito, posthumously called Emperor Showa, based on a request from the Emperor Emeritus himself, sources in the agency said Wednesday. The agency is in talks on holding the "Sojoden-no-Gi" funeral...
Tokyo, September 2 - The Imperial Household Agency of Japan is contemplating a smaller funeral rite for former Emperor Akihito, compared to that of his father Emperor Hirohito. This recommendation stems from a request made by the 92-year-old ex-emperor himself, according to sources within the agency. The agency is currently discussing the Sojoden-no-Gi ceremony's location at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward.
Despite the former emperor's good health, he has expressed a wish for his funeral to have a minimal impact on people's lives. Consequently, the agency announced in 2013 that Akihito and Empress Michiko would have smaller mausoleums than their predecessors, along with less elaborate funeral rites. Candidates for Akihito's Sojoden-no-Gi include the Matsu-no-Ma hall at the palace, chosen due to its ability to ensure attendees' safety in case of sudden weather changes, reflecting the former emperor's desire to consider the event's impact on people's lives and the environment.
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