Japan: Emperor, premier hold first briefing

Contents of the meeting not available due to Japanese monarchial custom barring release of such information

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Japan's new emperor received his first official briefing from the country's prime minister on Tuesday, according to local news reports.

While the two are believed to have discussed upcoming seasonal events, according to Kyodo news agency, the specifics of the deliberations between Emperor Naruhito and premier Shinzo Abe were not made public under a Japanese monarchial practice known as "naiso".

Kyodo said those who reveal the content of the discussions held between emperor and the government representatives come under severe criticism.

In 1973, then-defense agency chief Keikichi Masuhara was compelled to step down after revealing a remark made by Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa.

Masuhara had allegedly attempted to influence Hirohito to intervene in expanding the capabilities of Japan's armed forces.

Sworn in last week, Emperor Naruhito succeeded his living father who abdicated on April 30, the first Japanese monarch to do so in 200 years.

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