WORLD
Japan concluded passport not required for emperor in 1971
Baku, July 24 (AZERTAC). Japanese diplomatic records declassified on Thursday indicate that the Foreign Ministry concluded in 1971 that no passport would be required for the Japanese emperor to go abroad.
Before Emperor Hirohito went to Europe on his first ever overseas trip that year, the ministry agonized over whether he would require a passport.
As a passport contains the foreign minister's request for foreign authorities to allow the passport holder to travel without trouble, a ministry document dated May 10, 1971, says, "It would be inappropriate to issue such a passport for the emperor or empress."
The document also said it would be very inappropriate for the emperor, specified by the Constitution as the symbol of Japan, to undergo immigration or visa procedures with a passport as an ordinary citizen.
Even at present, the emperor or empress is not required to hold a passport for overseas trips. But diplomatic passports are issued for other imperial family members including the crown prince and princess.
Another newly declassified document indicates that the government had once planned for the emperor to attend events held in the United States in October 1970 to mark the 25th anniversary of the United Nations' foundation.
The document dated July 18, 1969, says the plan was eventually canceled as the emperor's presence at a meeting of heads of state and signing of documents could conflict with the Constitution, which specifies the emperor as not having powers related to government.