That leaves his son Naruhito - the first emperor born after the World War II - largely free of the burden of wartime legacy, allowing him to seek his own role.
Lokho kushiya indodana yakhe uNaruhito - umbusi wokuqala owazalwa ngemuva kweMpi Yesibili Yomhlaba - ingenawo umthwalo wefa lempi, okuyivumela ukuthi izifunele eyayo indima.