Japanese Emperor Akihito signaled his intention to abdicate in a pre-recorded televised address to the Japanese people on Monday afternoon. Given the restrictions of the postwar Japanese constitution, Japan's emperor, as a symbol of the country, must not interfere in political activities. 

This address is unique in the nation's postwar history. In terms of the political shock the address has brought to Japanese society, some even compared it with the Jewel Voice Broadcast made by his father, Emperor Hirohito, who read out the Imperial Rescript on the Termination of the War on August 15, 1945.

Today Japanese people have a very different recognition of their emperor compared with the past. Hirohito was once called the "Son of Heaven," in whose name soldiers sacrificed their own lives. At that time, the imperial image was quite mysterious. The Jewel Voice Broadcast was the first time that the vast bulk of Japanese had heard the voice of their emperor. 70 years later, thanks to a variety of media including broadcast, television and the Internet, the image of the emperor has long become familiar to ordinary people.

In the eyes of today's Japanese citizens, Akihito is an old man who cannot continue to do his heavy duties due to his deteriorating health, not a living god. They showed understanding and sympathy for him. After the message was delivered, Japan's Kyodo News conducted a quick response telephone opinion poll and 85.7 percent of interviewees said they could accept Akihito stepping down.

Akihito is seen as close to the people and easy-going. Sometimes he even breaks with tradition to be closer to ordinary people. For instance, the Japanese imperial family's burial tradition has lasted for 400 years, yet ordinary people are normally cremated after death due to the nation's population density since there is not enough room to bury everyone.

Yet in November 14, 2013, Akihito and his wife unexpectedly proposed that they would like to be cremated like ordinary citizens.

Akihito's character was also reflected in his latest public address. As a matter of fact, the Imperial Household Law offers a solution to the situation where emperor cannot fulfill his duty due to worsening physical condition - appointing a regent to take over the emperor's work. But Akihito clearly voiced on Monday that he did not want to resolve the puzzle through regency. While throughout his speech Akihito didn't expressly say "abdication," he hinted his hopes to establish a more popularized system in a typically ambiguous Japanese way.

Some scholars said that Akihito's wishes were intended to force the government to promote relevant reforms, which may break the constitution. But people in Japan showed more understanding to their emperor. As conservatism tends to prevail in Japanese political circle, some think that Akihito's move was intended to check Prime Minister Shinzo Abe administration's right-leaning tendency. But it's hard to know Akihito's real intentions since documents related to emperors are strictly controlled.

Since Akihito has articulated his wish, the ball is now on Abe's court. Abe must confront the task as to revise relevant laws. Under Japan's current system, amending the law is a cumbersome process.

Moreover, due to negative attitude from conservative forces in the country, they may simply try to put it off and prolong the process.

Akihito might have realized such possibility and said "in two years we will be welcoming the 30th Year of Heisei" at the beginning of his address, suggesting he still expected to be on the throne then. By then, Abe's term of office will have come to an end and more uncertainties will emerge in Japanese political situation. Whether the emperor can abdicate will remain a question.

The author is an assistant research fellow at the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn Follow us on Twitter @GTopinion