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Where To Stream Documentary 360 Season 2017 Episode 19

The Symbolic Emperor

Japan's Emperor Akihito is the head of the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. He's the first to succeed the role of "symbolic emperor" under the post-World War II constitution. Emperor Akihito stunned Japan and the world in 2016 by suggesting he wanted to "abdicate while still alive". Since assuming the throne from his father Emperor Hirohito, how has Emperor Akihito embodied the constitutional role? And why has he decided now that he wants to abdicate? This program documents...