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 The imperial couple's days have long been busy. They typically
hosted hundreds of ceremonies and audiences annually, made at
least three domestic trips per year, and have visited over 50
countries.
Nearly all that will end when his son, Crown Prince Naruhito,
becomes emperor on May 1 after Akihito steps down, the first
abdication by a Japanese monarch in two centuries.
"The new emperor must become a new symbol," said Makoto
Watanabe, a former aide to Akihito. "The (retiring) emperor has
thought seriously about how to avoid the problem of dual
authority. His daily schedule is expected to almost completely
disappear."
The retired couple, to be known as emperor emeritus and empress
emerita, will return to Togu Palace, where they lived before
Akihito became emperor, after a stay in a now-vacant imperial
residence while their new home is renovated.
They will have fewer aides, but the government will still pay
their living expenses.
Michiko has many interests, including music and literature so
will likely have little trouble filling her days, several
acquaintances say. Akihito may have a rougher time, having been
focused entirely on his job, they added.
Friends had hoped Akihito would have time to indulge his love of
tennis, but that could be tough given his age.
"He hasn't played recently," said Kazuo Oda, a tennis buff who
was present when Akihito met Michiko on the court in 1957 and
arranged phone calls between the couple.
One idea is for friends to present them with a ping-pong table.
"He likes table tennis," Oda said.
The royal pair were asked at a news conference in 2007 what the
would do if they could mingle incognito with the public.
Akihito replied, "Right now, I cannot think of anything I want
to do," although he added he would be glad to have more time to
enjoy nature and do research.
The emperor's hobby has been marine biology, especially goby
fish.
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He has been treated for prostate cancer and had heart surgery; in
2016 he said he feared age would make it hard to fulfill his duties.
"I think he'll be relieved" to step back from public life, one
acquaintance said.
(For graphic on Japan's royal family, click https://tmsnrt.rs/2VbRE9L)
CONSOLING THE MARGINALIZED
The aging couple will leave an enduring image of consoling the
marginalized in society - from leprosy patients to the elderly,
people with handicaps and disaster victims.
Acquaintances and scholars agree Michiko took the lead in that
public outreach.
The first commoner to marry into Japan's royal family, Michiko once
lost her voice after harsh attacks by tabloids.
"She was bullied and harassed ... but in a sense, Michiko created a
revolution - to get closer to the people," said Naotaka Kimizuka, a
professor at Kanto Gakuin University.
Michiko has said her personal troubles helped her understand others.
"I sometimes have a sense that in my state of sadness and
uncertainty, I find myself quietly connecting with other people,"
she told a 2007 news conference.
Akihito recognized her role in a poem written when the two were
courting: "As I continue my talks with her, I become aware that, in
my heart, a window is opening."
(reporting by Linda Sieg; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
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