Originally published on July 8, 2019.
Using an article published in Monthly Hanada as a point of departure, this passage explores the profound imperial will expressed in Emperor Showa’s previously unpublished waka, his feelings toward former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, and the deeper meaning of the “voiceless voices.”
It also records former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s determination regarding constitutional revision and his careful, sincere views on the grave issue of stable imperial succession, which concerns the very foundations of the state.
This is an important piece for reflecting on Emperor Showa’s heart, Japan’s national character, and the future shape of the nation.

2019-07-08
It is said that Emperor Showa composed approximately ten thousand waka over the course of his life, and among politicians he composed poems about former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, leaving the following three poems.
The following is a continuation of the previous chapter.
His Mother, Ms. Yoko, Was Also Moved to Tears
Sakurai
In connection with constitutional revision, I would very much like to touch upon the article published in the June issue of Monthly Hanada, “Discovery of Handwritten Imperial Verses: The Great Imperial Heart of Emperor Showa” by Susumu Fujihashi, editorial bureau chief of The Sekai Nippo.
Abe
I too read the article in the June issue of Monthly Hanada and was deeply moved by it.
When I showed it to my mother as well, she read it and was moved to tears.
Sakurai
Two hundred and eleven previously unpublished imperial waka by Emperor Showa were discovered, and moreover they were preserved in Emperor Showa’s own handwriting.
It is said that Emperor Showa composed approximately ten thousand waka over the course of his life, and among politicians he composed poems about former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, leaving the following three poems.
“For the sake of the nation you labored, yet before autumn came you departed this world, and at eventide there is loneliness.”
“Above all, the words you spoke remain, and deep indeed is the thought they leave behind after you vanished.”
“Above all, the words you spoke with deep feeling remain, though you yourself have disappeared from this world.”
In the margin beside this section was written, “Words mean the voiceless voice.”
When demonstrators surrounded the Diet during the 1960 revision of the Security Treaty, Prime Minister Kishi said, “The participants in the demonstration are limited.
…
I believe I must listen to the ‘voiceless voices.’”
Just as the author Mr. Fujihashi suggests, I too felt that Emperor Showa may well have sympathized with those words, and that he may have composed these verses out of deep sympathy for Prime Minister Kishi’s lonely struggle.
Some specialists have pointed out that for Emperor Showa, who was neither talkative nor eloquent, waka was an important means of expressing the truth of his heart.
So I, too, reread Emperor Showa’s imperial waka.
Then I was struck by another imperial verse, separate from these newly discovered unpublished poems.
It was the following imperial verse composed at the New Year’s Poetry Reading in 1966, four and a half years after the revision of the Security Treaty.
“Because I would set right the course I walk each day, I seek the voices of those who remain unseen.”
Precisely because he sought to set Japan’s course aright, he now sought the voices of those hidden from view.
I believe that the “voice” in “I seek the voices” may well refer to the “voiceless voices” spoken of by former Prime Minister Kishi.
Most likely, Emperor Showa knew very well that beyond achieving the Security Treaty revision, former Prime Minister Kishi had been thinking of constitutional revision.
Might he not have wished for him to carry matters through even that far.
I feel that this sentiment appears in the imperial verse beginning “Because I would set right the course I walk each day,” and also in the verse, “For the sake of the nation you labored, yet before autumn came you departed this world, and at eventide there is loneliness.”
Emperor Showa single-mindedly wished for the happiness of the people and the peace of the nation.
As the monarch of a constitutional monarchy, he maintained a stance of not intervening in politics, yet he considered the safety of the nation from a broad and elevated perspective.
And he wished for Japan to remain Japan.
For example, as shown in the verse, “Simply to protect the national character, though I go down a thorny path, I would still bring war to an end,” he thought deeply about the importance of Japan’s national character.
As one of the people, I believe we should rightly understand this imperial heart of Emperor Showa.
At the same time, I admonish myself that one must not deliberately overemphasize this and politically exploit the Imperial House.
Abe
The Liberal Democratic Party has continued to raise the banner of constitutional revision.
Since constitutional revision has been a party principle since our founding, I intend for us to accomplish it without fail.
Sakurai
Lastly, regarding the stable imperial succession that so many of the people are concerned about, I would very much like to hear your thoughts.
Abe
To ensure a stable imperial succession is an extremely grave issue that concerns the very foundations of the state.
Bearing in mind the weight of the fact that male-line succession has been maintained from ancient times without exception, I believe it is necessary to conduct careful and prudent consideration.
This is recognized as an important issue that cannot be postponed, given such matters as the decrease in the number of imperial family members due to marriages of female members of the imperial family, and also considering the ages of the imperial family members.
However, on how to address this issue there are various views and opinions, and I believe that in order to obtain a national consensus, sufficient analysis and careful procedures are necessary.
As the government, we will first do our utmost to ensure that the series of ceremonies accompanying His Majesty the Emperor’s enthronement are carried out smoothly amid the blessings of the people, and then, while respecting the intent of the supplementary resolution passed by the committees of both houses of the Diet, we would like to proceed with our response.
Sakurai
I hope and expect that you will continue to confront the many challenges before you.