The Postwar History of the "Symbolic Emperor" Hideya Kasai / Kodansha Price: ¥1,650 The Emperor is the symbol of the State and the symbol of the unity of the people (Article 1 of the Constitution of Japan). How did politicians, the Imperial Household Agency, intellectuals, and the media create the substance of this ambiguous and abstract provision? From the post-war Emperor Showa's abdication debate, to the "Humanity Declaration" and its appeal through nationwide tours, to the foreign travels and marriage of Crown Prince Akihito, this book traces the history and sharply dissects the essence of the postwar imperial system! Main Contents Chapter 1: The Emperor Showa Abdication Debate Chapter 2: The Emperor Becomes "Human" Chapter 3: The Symbolic Emperor in the Media Chapter 4: The Shifting Image of the Symbolic Emperor Chapter 5: As a Symbol of a "Cultural and Peaceful Nation" Chapter 6: The Appearance of the Young Crown Prince and the Completion of the Symbolic Emperor System