A must-read book of thirty-two sentiments from Japan’s beloved emperor in combination with stunning photographs

A deeper dive into investigative author Kōji Yabe’s 2015 book: A Message from Emperor Akihito: The Country that Doesn’t Fight (Sensō o shi nai Kuni: Akihito Ten'nō Messēji).



“Because I have no experience as an ordinary Japanese person, I’ve never once thought of what I wanted to do with my life. I’ve never thought about choosing any other path than that of the Imperial household.” —Emperor Akihito, American news conference, 1987



“It doesn’t matter if stones are thrown. I want to walk amongst the people without fearing such things.” —Emperor Akihito, prior to visiting Okinawa, 1975



“Although it may be shameful to have others think me weak, I do not live in despair.” —Empress Michiko, 1980

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