Thursday, March 17, 2011

The speeches of the emperors

At noon on August 15, 1945 Tokyo time the divine voice of 44 year old Hirohito was heard for the first time in history by the subjects of the Empire of the Rising Sun: the radio message (recorded and broadcast on disk) informed acceptance of the Japanese surrender against the Americans. The military caste Japan tried to prevent the transmission, which he considered humiliating.

But the descent to earth through the ether of the divine figure of the Tenno was used to hold together and united the people defeated, including the reference to "cruel and new type of bomb that the enemy has decided to employ, and whose power of destruction is incalculable "(ie the atoms).

Wednesday, March 17 to 16, the 77enne Akihito, Emperor Hirohito's son, appeared on television in a recorded message. Beside him in the television studios was the Empress Michiko: It was another historic event - a first - to address the country when the most serious of Japan by 66 years since the day of H Bomb, to ask his subjects unity and solidarity in the face of disaster and difficulty.

1 comment:

  1. Few people commented that he waited too long... I agree. An immediate and constant presence by these leaders is crucial in tragic periods. Remember what a bad rap got HRH The Queen during Lady Diana event for not saying anything?
    History is the best teacher.

    ReplyDelete