The post-war-born emperor embarked on a new form of imperial diplomacy
NISHIKAWA Megumi / Journalist
September 5, 2023
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Indonesia for seven days from 17th to 24th June in their first international goodwill visit since their accession to the throne.
In their impressions released through the Imperial Household Agency after their return, after recounting in detail what they felt and what made them happy during their stay, they emphasized "among other things" the interaction with young people. This meant their encounter with Indonesian students and pupils interested in Japan, including Japanese language and culture, as well as Japanese children and young people living in Indonesia. Through these exchanges with the youth of the two countries, they felt "the potential of the younger generation for the further enhancement of the friendship and co-operation between our two countries".
The exchange with the Indonesian students and pupils took place at the Darma Persada University, which was established mainly by people who had studied in Japan. The young people actively exchanged opinions with Their Majesties on the Japanese language and culture, and the atmosphere was friendly, interspersed with laughter. After visiting the university, Their Majesties also visited a vocational school in an industrial park run by Japanese companies and others, where they also interacted with students.
That evening, at the hotel where Their Majesties were staying, they met with Japanese residents and JOCV members, and they listened with great interest to the Japanese youth's stories about why they were attracted to Indonesia.
Their Majesties probably felt that the presence of young Japanese and Indonesians who are interested, and studying and working, in each other's country is a great force for deepening mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill between the two countries. They probably felt once again that it is their duty to encourage such young people.
During the World War Ⅱ, Japan occupied Indonesia. At a press conference ahead of his visit, the Emperor said that it was important not to forget those who died, to deepen our understanding of past history and to foster a peace-loving spirit. During their stay, they laid flowers at the Karitaba Heroes Cemetery, where those who had contributed to Indonesia's independence were laid to rest. They also met with the descendants of former Japanese soldiers who remained in Indonesia after the war and participated in the War of Independence, and expressed their sympathy for their hardships.
Nevertheless, on the whole, Their Majesties' position was clearly future-oriented, with a focus on interaction with young people. It is interesting to note that President Joko omitted words of greetings at the welcome luncheon. The President is said to be a man who prefers to do things his own way rather than follow the script prepared by his staff, and this surprise served to relegate the history issue to the background as a result. If there had been a word, the media would have focused on what the Emperor might have said about the war and the occupation.
This attitude of the President is also a reflection of the current Indonesian public opinion. In October 1991, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, now the Emeritus Emperor and Empress, travelled to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia on their first foreign visit since their accession to the throne. At that time, then Indonesian President Suharto, in his speech at the welcome dinner, stated that 'it is not uncommon for people to become somewhat emotional when they think of the past'. This was no doubt a reflection of the average sentiment of the Indonesian people towards Japan at the time. Then, 46 years after independence, many of those who had experienced the Japanese occupation were still alive and well, and more than a few of them had mixed feelings about Japan.
The difference between the environment surrounding the visit then and now is that few people in Indonesia remember the period of Japanese occupation anymore, and the Japanese Government's efforts over the years have come to show their effects. The most representative of these is the 1977 Fukuda Doctrine, known for its three principles, such as 'Japan will build a relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on “heart-to-heart” understanding with Southeast Asian countries'. It is believed that this has promoted political dialogue, economic cooperation, and human and cultural exchange between Japan and Southeast Asia, and has significantly changed the image of Japan for the better.
However, another thing that cannot be overlooked is the role played by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko throughout the Heisei era (1989~2019). The name of Emperor Hirohito was deeply associated with the image of the militaristic Japan in foreign countries, and even at the end of the Showa period, there were voices from South-East Asian pundits who worried about Japan’s return to militarism. In the Heisei era, however, voices questioning Japan's pacifism gradually ceased to be heard.
This was largely due to the thoughtful words expressed by Emperor Akihito, who took on the weight of responsibility of his father Emperor Showa, once the supreme leader of the war, on his occasional visits to foreign countries and at the banquets for state guests, and towards the victims of war, the affected countries and the warring parties. In addition, the Emperor and Empress went on 'memorial journeys' in which they visited the places where fierce battles were fought and mourned the fallen, both Japanese and foreign nationals. Not to mention their repeated visits to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Okinawa and other war-devastated areas in Japan.
The image of Japan as a peaceful country became clearer in the Heisei era than in the post-war Showa era. Japan's reputation for following a pacifist course has become firmly established, and the trust in Japan as a member of the advanced democratic camp has become unshakeable. For example, to the best of my knowledge, not a voice has been heard from Southeast Asian countries expressing the concern that the strengthening of national security policies under the Abe administration, such as the Security Law, might lead to a resurgence of Japanese militarism.
The 30 years of the Heisei era were a period of economic stagnation for Japan, but it was also a period of great significance in its relation with the international community. This time, the present Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were able to engage in future-oriented goodwill exchange without reserve, not only because they were no longer hampered by past history, but also because of the sincere efforts of the Emperor’s parents. From the perspective of imperial diplomacy, too, the Heisei era clearly served as a bridge between the Showa era (1925~1989) and the Reiwa era (2019~).
Future imperial diplomacy will revolve around future-oriented goodwill activities. In concrete terms, it means confirming, in light of past history, the rich achievements fostered by post-war friendly and cooperative relations, and encouraging the building of deeper relations of friendship and trust with the international community for the future. In particular, it means encouraging mutual understanding and cooperation between the young people of Japan and of other countries, who will shoulder the future of the world.
Furthermore, the fact that the present Emperor’s expertise in "water" policy and conservation is thought to add breadth and depth to the goodwill activities. This time, too, the Emperor visited a flood control facility in the capital city of Jakarta, which had been renovated with Japanese financial assistance, and asked a number of questions. That is the pump station to drain rainwater flowing into lowland areas. He also asked about drainage of the stone walls at the Borobudur Temple, a World Heritage Site.
His research, which began in his university days on 'water transport' in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan and on 'water transport' on the Thames River in the U.K., has since expanded to global issues such as sanitation, the environment and disasters from the perspective of 'water'. And his book, which contains nine chapters, from his first lecture in 1987 to his keynote address at the World Water Forum in 2018, entitled ‘From the History of Water Transport to Water in the World’, shows the deepening quest of the Emperor from local affairs to today's global issues.
A global perspective and trust in the goodwill and potential of young people. If this can be described as a 'sense of global citizenship', the current Emperor has demonstrated a part of this through his visit, and has also given us a glimpse of a new image of the Imperial Family, different from that of his parents.
（NISHIKAWA Megumi is a contributing editor of Mainichi Shimbun. This is a shortened English translation of an article that appeared in the Mainichi Shimbun evening edition on 22 August ）
In their impressions released through the Imperial Household Agency after their return, after recounting in detail what they felt and what made them happy during their stay, they emphasized "among other things" the interaction with young people. This meant their encounter with Indonesian students and pupils interested in Japan, including Japanese language and culture, as well as Japanese children and young people living in Indonesia. Through these exchanges with the youth of the two countries, they felt "the potential of the younger generation for the further enhancement of the friendship and co-operation between our two countries".
The exchange with the Indonesian students and pupils took place at the Darma Persada University, which was established mainly by people who had studied in Japan. The young people actively exchanged opinions with Their Majesties on the Japanese language and culture, and the atmosphere was friendly, interspersed with laughter. After visiting the university, Their Majesties also visited a vocational school in an industrial park run by Japanese companies and others, where they also interacted with students.
That evening, at the hotel where Their Majesties were staying, they met with Japanese residents and JOCV members, and they listened with great interest to the Japanese youth's stories about why they were attracted to Indonesia.
Their Majesties probably felt that the presence of young Japanese and Indonesians who are interested, and studying and working, in each other's country is a great force for deepening mutual understanding, friendship and goodwill between the two countries. They probably felt once again that it is their duty to encourage such young people.
During the World War Ⅱ, Japan occupied Indonesia. At a press conference ahead of his visit, the Emperor said that it was important not to forget those who died, to deepen our understanding of past history and to foster a peace-loving spirit. During their stay, they laid flowers at the Karitaba Heroes Cemetery, where those who had contributed to Indonesia's independence were laid to rest. They also met with the descendants of former Japanese soldiers who remained in Indonesia after the war and participated in the War of Independence, and expressed their sympathy for their hardships.
Nevertheless, on the whole, Their Majesties' position was clearly future-oriented, with a focus on interaction with young people. It is interesting to note that President Joko omitted words of greetings at the welcome luncheon. The President is said to be a man who prefers to do things his own way rather than follow the script prepared by his staff, and this surprise served to relegate the history issue to the background as a result. If there had been a word, the media would have focused on what the Emperor might have said about the war and the occupation.
This attitude of the President is also a reflection of the current Indonesian public opinion. In October 1991, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, now the Emeritus Emperor and Empress, travelled to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia on their first foreign visit since their accession to the throne. At that time, then Indonesian President Suharto, in his speech at the welcome dinner, stated that 'it is not uncommon for people to become somewhat emotional when they think of the past'. This was no doubt a reflection of the average sentiment of the Indonesian people towards Japan at the time. Then, 46 years after independence, many of those who had experienced the Japanese occupation were still alive and well, and more than a few of them had mixed feelings about Japan.
The difference between the environment surrounding the visit then and now is that few people in Indonesia remember the period of Japanese occupation anymore, and the Japanese Government's efforts over the years have come to show their effects. The most representative of these is the 1977 Fukuda Doctrine, known for its three principles, such as 'Japan will build a relationship of mutual confidence and trust based on “heart-to-heart” understanding with Southeast Asian countries'. It is believed that this has promoted political dialogue, economic cooperation, and human and cultural exchange between Japan and Southeast Asia, and has significantly changed the image of Japan for the better.
However, another thing that cannot be overlooked is the role played by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko throughout the Heisei era (1989~2019). The name of Emperor Hirohito was deeply associated with the image of the militaristic Japan in foreign countries, and even at the end of the Showa period, there were voices from South-East Asian pundits who worried about Japan’s return to militarism. In the Heisei era, however, voices questioning Japan's pacifism gradually ceased to be heard.
This was largely due to the thoughtful words expressed by Emperor Akihito, who took on the weight of responsibility of his father Emperor Showa, once the supreme leader of the war, on his occasional visits to foreign countries and at the banquets for state guests, and towards the victims of war, the affected countries and the warring parties. In addition, the Emperor and Empress went on 'memorial journeys' in which they visited the places where fierce battles were fought and mourned the fallen, both Japanese and foreign nationals. Not to mention their repeated visits to Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Okinawa and other war-devastated areas in Japan.
The image of Japan as a peaceful country became clearer in the Heisei era than in the post-war Showa era. Japan's reputation for following a pacifist course has become firmly established, and the trust in Japan as a member of the advanced democratic camp has become unshakeable. For example, to the best of my knowledge, not a voice has been heard from Southeast Asian countries expressing the concern that the strengthening of national security policies under the Abe administration, such as the Security Law, might lead to a resurgence of Japanese militarism.
The 30 years of the Heisei era were a period of economic stagnation for Japan, but it was also a period of great significance in its relation with the international community. This time, the present Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were able to engage in future-oriented goodwill exchange without reserve, not only because they were no longer hampered by past history, but also because of the sincere efforts of the Emperor’s parents. From the perspective of imperial diplomacy, too, the Heisei era clearly served as a bridge between the Showa era (1925~1989) and the Reiwa era (2019~).
Future imperial diplomacy will revolve around future-oriented goodwill activities. In concrete terms, it means confirming, in light of past history, the rich achievements fostered by post-war friendly and cooperative relations, and encouraging the building of deeper relations of friendship and trust with the international community for the future. In particular, it means encouraging mutual understanding and cooperation between the young people of Japan and of other countries, who will shoulder the future of the world.
Furthermore, the fact that the present Emperor’s expertise in "water" policy and conservation is thought to add breadth and depth to the goodwill activities. This time, too, the Emperor visited a flood control facility in the capital city of Jakarta, which had been renovated with Japanese financial assistance, and asked a number of questions. That is the pump station to drain rainwater flowing into lowland areas. He also asked about drainage of the stone walls at the Borobudur Temple, a World Heritage Site.
His research, which began in his university days on 'water transport' in the Seto Inland Sea in Japan and on 'water transport' on the Thames River in the U.K., has since expanded to global issues such as sanitation, the environment and disasters from the perspective of 'water'. And his book, which contains nine chapters, from his first lecture in 1987 to his keynote address at the World Water Forum in 2018, entitled ‘From the History of Water Transport to Water in the World’, shows the deepening quest of the Emperor from local affairs to today's global issues.
A global perspective and trust in the goodwill and potential of young people. If this can be described as a 'sense of global citizenship', the current Emperor has demonstrated a part of this through his visit, and has also given us a glimpse of a new image of the Imperial Family, different from that of his parents.
（NISHIKAWA Megumi is a contributing editor of Mainichi Shimbun. This is a shortened English translation of an article that appeared in the Mainichi Shimbun evening edition on 22 August ）
The English-Speaking Union of Japan
戦後生まれの天皇が見せた新しい皇室外交の姿
西川 恵 / ジャーナリスト
2023年 9月 5日
天皇、皇后両陛下は即位後初めての国際親善で、インドネシアを６月17日から６泊７日で訪れた。
帰国後に、宮内庁を通じて発表された感想で、滞在中に感じたこと、嬉しかったことを縷々挙げた後、「なかでも」と強調されたのが若者との交流だった。日本語や日本文化など日本に関心を寄せるインドネシアの学生・生徒、またインドネシアで暮らす日本の子どもや若い人々。これら両国の若者との交流を通して、「両国の友好親善と協力関係における若い世代の可能性」を感じられたと述べられた。
インドネシアの学生・生徒との交流は、日本への留学経験者が中心となって設立したダルマ・プルサダ大学で行われた。若者たちは両陛下と日本語や日本文化について活発に意見を交換、笑い声も起きる和やかな雰囲気だった。大学訪問の後、両陛下は日系企業などが運営する工業団地内の職業専門学校も訪れ、ここでも生徒たちと交流した。
その夜は、滞在先のホテルで在留邦人や海外協力隊員と面会し、インドネシアに惹かれた理由など、日本の若者の話しに興味深げに耳を傾けられた。
おそらく両陛下は、互いの国に関心を持ち、学び、働いている若者の存在こそ、国と国の相互理解と友好親善を深める大きな力となること。そうした若者を励ましていくのが自分たちの務めだと、改めて感じたのだろう。
大戦中、日本はインドネシアを占領下に置いた。訪問を前にした記者会見で、天皇は「亡くなられた方々を忘れず、過去の歴史に対する理解を深め、平和を愛する心を育んでいくことが大事だ」と述べられた。滞在中はインドネシアの独立に功績のあった人が眠る「カリタバ英雄墓地」に供花した。戦争終結後にインドネシアにとどまって、独立戦争に参加した元日本残留兵の子孫とも面会され、その苦労をいたわった。
それでも全体として、両陛下の立ち位置は明らかに若者との交流を中心とする未来志向にあった。興味深いのは、ジョコ大統領が歓迎昼食会でのお言葉を省いたことだ。大統領は事務方が用意したものより、自分の考えでやりたい人と言われているが、このサプライズは結果として歴史問題を後景に退かせる役割を果たした。もしお言葉があったら、メディアは戦争中のことについて天皇がどう述べたかに焦点を当てただろう。
この大統領の姿勢は、現在のインドネシアの世論の反映でもある。現在は上皇、上皇后である明仁天皇、美智子皇后は1991年10月、即位後初めての外国訪問でタイ、マレーシア、インドネシアの３カ国を回った。この時、インドネシアのスハルト大統領（当時）は歓迎晩さん会のスピーチで、「過去を思い浮かべて幾分感情的になることは少なくはありません」と述べた。当時のインドネシアの人々の、平均的な対日感情を代弁していることは間違いない。独立から46年。日本軍の占領を体験した人の多くはまだ健在で、日本に複雑な感情を抱く人は少なくなかった。
当時と今回の訪問を取り巻く環境の違いは、占領中のことを覚えている人がほとんどいなくなったことだが、日本政府の長年の取り組みも効果を現わしている。その代表的なものが〈日本は東南アジアと心と心の触れ合う相互信頼の関係を築く〉などの３原則で知られる1977年の福田ドクトリンだ。これは日本と東南アジアの政治対話、経済協力、人的交流、文化交流を促進し、日本に対するイメージを大きく好転させたと言われた。
ただもう一つ見落とすわけにはいかないのは、平成の時代を通して明仁天皇と美智子皇后が果たした役割である。ヒロヒトという昭和天皇の名前は、外国では軍国主義・日本のイメージと深く結びついていて、昭和の末期でも日本の軍国主義の復活を心配する声が東南アジアの識者から上がっていた。しかし平成になると、日本の平和主義に疑問を差しはさむ声は次第に聞かれなくなった。
戦争の最高責任者だった昭和天皇の責任の重みを背負った明仁天皇の、折々の外国訪問や、国賓を迎えた宮中晩さん会で発せられた、戦争被害者や被害国、戦争相手国に対する思いを込めたお言葉。外国の激戦地を訪ね歩き、日本人、外国人を問わず、戦争犠牲者を弔った「慰霊の旅」。広島、長崎、沖縄などをはじめとする国内戦災地への度重なる訪問は言わずもがなである。
平和国家・日本のイメージは、戦後の昭和の時代より平成になって明確になった。平和主義路線を歩む日本に対する評価は定着し、先進民主主義陣営の一翼を担う日本への信頼感は揺るぎないものになった。例えば安倍政権下での安保法制など安全保障政策強化に対して、東南アジアの国々から日本軍国主義復活の懸念が上がったとは寡聞にして聞かない。
平成の30年間、日本の経済は停滞したが、国際社会との関係では大きな意味をもった時代といえるだろう。今回、徳仁天皇と雅子皇后が未来志向型の親善に心置きなく取り組めたのも、歴史が遠くなったからだけなく、ご両親の真摯な取り組みがあったからである。皇室外交の観点からも、明らかに平成は昭和と令和の橋渡しをしたのである。
今後の皇室外交は未来志向型の親善活動を軸に展開されるが、具体的に言うとこういうことだ。歴史を踏まえた上で、戦後の友好協力関係が育んだ豊かな成果を確認し、将来に向けてより深い友情と信頼の関係を国際社会と築くことを後押しする。特に未来を担う日本と外国の若者たちの相互理解と協力を励ましていく。
さらに今上天皇が「水」を専門にされていることは、親善活動に広がりと深みを与えると思われる。今回も天皇は首都ジャカルタ市内の、日本の資金協力で改修された治水施設を視察され、いろいろ質問された。低地に流れ込む雨水を排水する設備だ。世界遺産のボロブドゥール寺院でも、石垣の排水について質問されたという。
大学時代に瀬戸内海の「水運」や、英テムズ川の「水上交通」をテーマに始められた研究は、その後、「水」という視点に立って、衛生・環境・災害などのグローバルな課題に広げられた。1987年の初講演から2018年の世界水フォーラムの基調講演まで、全９編を収めたご著書「水運史から世界の水へ」のタイトルにも、地域事情から地球の今日的課題へ移行した今上天皇の認識の深まりが現れている。
グローバルに地球を俯瞰する視座と、若者の善意と可能性への信頼。これを「地球市民的感覚」と言い表すならば、今上天皇は今回の訪問を通じてこの一端を示し、ご両親の時とはまた異なる皇室の新しい姿をも垣間見せてくれた。
（筆者は毎日新聞社客員編集委員。本稿は8月22日付の毎日新聞夕刊に掲載された記事の短縮版である）
帰国後に、宮内庁を通じて発表された感想で、滞在中に感じたこと、嬉しかったことを縷々挙げた後、「なかでも」と強調されたのが若者との交流だった。日本語や日本文化など日本に関心を寄せるインドネシアの学生・生徒、またインドネシアで暮らす日本の子どもや若い人々。これら両国の若者との交流を通して、「両国の友好親善と協力関係における若い世代の可能性」を感じられたと述べられた。
インドネシアの学生・生徒との交流は、日本への留学経験者が中心となって設立したダルマ・プルサダ大学で行われた。若者たちは両陛下と日本語や日本文化について活発に意見を交換、笑い声も起きる和やかな雰囲気だった。大学訪問の後、両陛下は日系企業などが運営する工業団地内の職業専門学校も訪れ、ここでも生徒たちと交流した。
その夜は、滞在先のホテルで在留邦人や海外協力隊員と面会し、インドネシアに惹かれた理由など、日本の若者の話しに興味深げに耳を傾けられた。
おそらく両陛下は、互いの国に関心を持ち、学び、働いている若者の存在こそ、国と国の相互理解と友好親善を深める大きな力となること。そうした若者を励ましていくのが自分たちの務めだと、改めて感じたのだろう。
大戦中、日本はインドネシアを占領下に置いた。訪問を前にした記者会見で、天皇は「亡くなられた方々を忘れず、過去の歴史に対する理解を深め、平和を愛する心を育んでいくことが大事だ」と述べられた。滞在中はインドネシアの独立に功績のあった人が眠る「カリタバ英雄墓地」に供花した。戦争終結後にインドネシアにとどまって、独立戦争に参加した元日本残留兵の子孫とも面会され、その苦労をいたわった。
それでも全体として、両陛下の立ち位置は明らかに若者との交流を中心とする未来志向にあった。興味深いのは、ジョコ大統領が歓迎昼食会でのお言葉を省いたことだ。大統領は事務方が用意したものより、自分の考えでやりたい人と言われているが、このサプライズは結果として歴史問題を後景に退かせる役割を果たした。もしお言葉があったら、メディアは戦争中のことについて天皇がどう述べたかに焦点を当てただろう。
この大統領の姿勢は、現在のインドネシアの世論の反映でもある。現在は上皇、上皇后である明仁天皇、美智子皇后は1991年10月、即位後初めての外国訪問でタイ、マレーシア、インドネシアの３カ国を回った。この時、インドネシアのスハルト大統領（当時）は歓迎晩さん会のスピーチで、「過去を思い浮かべて幾分感情的になることは少なくはありません」と述べた。当時のインドネシアの人々の、平均的な対日感情を代弁していることは間違いない。独立から46年。日本軍の占領を体験した人の多くはまだ健在で、日本に複雑な感情を抱く人は少なくなかった。
当時と今回の訪問を取り巻く環境の違いは、占領中のことを覚えている人がほとんどいなくなったことだが、日本政府の長年の取り組みも効果を現わしている。その代表的なものが〈日本は東南アジアと心と心の触れ合う相互信頼の関係を築く〉などの３原則で知られる1977年の福田ドクトリンだ。これは日本と東南アジアの政治対話、経済協力、人的交流、文化交流を促進し、日本に対するイメージを大きく好転させたと言われた。
ただもう一つ見落とすわけにはいかないのは、平成の時代を通して明仁天皇と美智子皇后が果たした役割である。ヒロヒトという昭和天皇の名前は、外国では軍国主義・日本のイメージと深く結びついていて、昭和の末期でも日本の軍国主義の復活を心配する声が東南アジアの識者から上がっていた。しかし平成になると、日本の平和主義に疑問を差しはさむ声は次第に聞かれなくなった。
戦争の最高責任者だった昭和天皇の責任の重みを背負った明仁天皇の、折々の外国訪問や、国賓を迎えた宮中晩さん会で発せられた、戦争被害者や被害国、戦争相手国に対する思いを込めたお言葉。外国の激戦地を訪ね歩き、日本人、外国人を問わず、戦争犠牲者を弔った「慰霊の旅」。広島、長崎、沖縄などをはじめとする国内戦災地への度重なる訪問は言わずもがなである。
平和国家・日本のイメージは、戦後の昭和の時代より平成になって明確になった。平和主義路線を歩む日本に対する評価は定着し、先進民主主義陣営の一翼を担う日本への信頼感は揺るぎないものになった。例えば安倍政権下での安保法制など安全保障政策強化に対して、東南アジアの国々から日本軍国主義復活の懸念が上がったとは寡聞にして聞かない。
平成の30年間、日本の経済は停滞したが、国際社会との関係では大きな意味をもった時代といえるだろう。今回、徳仁天皇と雅子皇后が未来志向型の親善に心置きなく取り組めたのも、歴史が遠くなったからだけなく、ご両親の真摯な取り組みがあったからである。皇室外交の観点からも、明らかに平成は昭和と令和の橋渡しをしたのである。
今後の皇室外交は未来志向型の親善活動を軸に展開されるが、具体的に言うとこういうことだ。歴史を踏まえた上で、戦後の友好協力関係が育んだ豊かな成果を確認し、将来に向けてより深い友情と信頼の関係を国際社会と築くことを後押しする。特に未来を担う日本と外国の若者たちの相互理解と協力を励ましていく。
さらに今上天皇が「水」を専門にされていることは、親善活動に広がりと深みを与えると思われる。今回も天皇は首都ジャカルタ市内の、日本の資金協力で改修された治水施設を視察され、いろいろ質問された。低地に流れ込む雨水を排水する設備だ。世界遺産のボロブドゥール寺院でも、石垣の排水について質問されたという。
大学時代に瀬戸内海の「水運」や、英テムズ川の「水上交通」をテーマに始められた研究は、その後、「水」という視点に立って、衛生・環境・災害などのグローバルな課題に広げられた。1987年の初講演から2018年の世界水フォーラムの基調講演まで、全９編を収めたご著書「水運史から世界の水へ」のタイトルにも、地域事情から地球の今日的課題へ移行した今上天皇の認識の深まりが現れている。
グローバルに地球を俯瞰する視座と、若者の善意と可能性への信頼。これを「地球市民的感覚」と言い表すならば、今上天皇は今回の訪問を通じてこの一端を示し、ご両親の時とはまた異なる皇室の新しい姿をも垣間見せてくれた。
（筆者は毎日新聞社客員編集委員。本稿は8月22日付の毎日新聞夕刊に掲載された記事の短縮版である）
一般社団法人 日本英語交流連盟