• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home Features Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Latest News

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito to open Olympics, reprising grandfather’s role

23 July 2021, 1:03 PM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
FILE PHOTO: Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks during a news conference on the occasion of his birthday in Tokyo, Japan February 21, 2020. Picture taken February 21, 2020.

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks during a news conference on the occasion of his birthday in Tokyo, Japan February 21, 2020. Picture taken February 21, 2020.

Image: Reuters

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks during a news conference on the occasion of his birthday in Tokyo, Japan February 21, 2020. Picture taken February 21, 2020.

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito is set to declare the opening of the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, reprising the role of his grandfather who opened the last Tokyo Olympics in 1964.

Those Games were enthusiastically embraced in Japan and abroad, and heralded a new era for the nation after it emerged from the devastation of World War II and was on its way to becoming an economic powerhouse.

This time, the Tokyo Olympics have been greatly complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and battered by a series of scandals. Public opinion polls consistently show that a majority of Japanese are against holding the event during the pandemic.

The head of the Imperial Household Agency said late last month that Emperor Naruhito “appears concerned” about the possibility the Olympic Games could cause the coronavirus to spread as feared by many members of the public.

While the 61-year-old emperor’s concern was framed as the official’s impression rather than something he explicitly expressed, the rare revelation into the monarch’s thinking stirred speculation he had worries about the holding of the Olympics during the pandemic.

The Olympic Charter, however, stipulates that the Games be proclaimed open by the head of state of the host country, meaning his presence is required.

The head of the International Olympic Committee met with the emperor on Thursday and assured him organisers were doing their utmost not to bring infections into the country.

The Oxford-educated monarch is expected to attend the ceremony without Empress Masako or other members of the imperial family, after organisers banned spectators.

When his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, declared the 1964 Games open, he was accompanied by Empress Nagako.

The Olympic charter also specifies the exact wording to be used for opening, including the word “celebrate”.

There has been speculation that because of the pandemic, the emperor will use a more neutral word in Japanese that can still be translated as “celebrate” in English.

The emperor has no political power but is widely respected as a figurehead in Japan.

Share article
Previous Post

National Assembly Speaker rejects proposal for urgent special debate on recent violence and looting

Next Post

VIDEO: IEC announces decision on 2021 Local Government Elections

Related Posts

[File photo] Library seen in the image above.

City of Cape Town getting ready for South African Library Week

11 March 2023, 6:12 PM
British music producer Brian Eno addresses a news conference of the Starmus Festival V in Zurich, Switzerland June 24, 2019.

Venice Biennale to honour British musician Brian Eno

9 March 2023, 11:47 AM
Israel's Netta reacts as she wins the Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2018 at the Altice Arena hall in Lisbon, Portugal, May 12, 2018.

Eurovision Song Contest final tickets sell out in 36 minutes

7 March 2023, 4:36 PM
Muslims offer prayers before having their Iftar (fast-breaking) meal during the holy month of Ramadan at a madrasa or religious school on the outskirts of Jammu August 8, 2012

Festivities ahead of Ramadan for Pinelands community

5 March 2023, 4:53 PM
A microphone on stage before a concert

Musicians to raise funds for charity

5 March 2023, 2:30 PM
Elton John performs as he returns to complete his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour since it was postponed due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in 2020, in New Orleans, Louisiana, US, January 19, 2022.

Guns N’ Roses and Arctic Monkeys to headline Glastonbury along with Elton John

4 March 2023, 2:38 PM
Next Post
Voters wait in a queue for their turn to vote in the 2016 Local Government Elections.

VIDEO: IEC announces decision on 2021 Local Government Elections

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Durban’s N2 road, Spaghetti Junction closed due to cleanup operations
  • DENOSA defends nurses for placing newborns in boxes
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • Limpopo healthcare set to get massive boost with multi-billion rand hospital
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Experts raise caution over Prime energy drink craze
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Deadline for Zimbabwean Exemption Permits draws near
  • Zimbabwe receives 18 helicopters from Russian Federation
  • Limpopo district embroiled in fraudulent travel claims
  • Weather Service warns of disruptive rainfall in parts of KZN
  • Mabuyane taking President, SIU and University of Fort Hare to court
  • SIU to defend Mabuyane’s application in Fort Hare matter: Kganyago
  • Magudumana was in Tanzania illegally, argues police representative in court

LATEST

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts during the final match against Sebastian Korda of the US at the Adelaide International on January 8, 2023.
  • Sport

Sabalenka, Djokovic hoping to steer clear of controversy


Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane
  • Politics

Speaker dismissed me when I requested a meeting: Mkhwebane


A mine
  • Business
  • Opinion

Harry Oppenheimer biography shows the SA mining magnate’s hand in economic policies


Tennis player holding a tennis ball and racket.
  • Sport

Swiatek briefly loses focus on way to French Open third round


ANC flag
  • South Africa

ANC staff member in George appears in court over alleged rape


Paris Saint Germain's Lionel Messi
  • Sport

Saturday’s game to be last of Messi ‘this season’, says club


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous National Assembly Speaker rejects proposal for urgent special debate on recent violence and looting
Next VIDEO: IEC announces decision on 2021 Local Government Elections