当地时间8月8日下午，日本明仁天皇发表电视讲话，表达了在生前退位的强烈愿望。

Japan's Emperor Akihito has made a televised address to the nation, to say his declining health means it is difficult to continue in his role. While he stopped short of[1] saying he wanted to abdicate[2], he suggested it might be wise to hand over his responsibilities at some point.

Under current laws there is no provision[3] for him to abdicate, but PM Shinzo Abe has said the government will "seriously" look into that.

Here is the official translation of the speech.

Emperor Akihito's speech

A major milestone year [marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two] has passed, and in two years we will be welcoming the 30th year of Heisei (the era beginning when the previous emperor died).

战后七十年这一大的节点过去，两年后，将迎来平成三十年。

As I am now more than 80 years old and there are times when I feel various constraints such as in my physical fitness, in the last few years I have started to reflect on my years as the Emperor, and contemplate[4] on my role and my duties as the Emperor in the days to come.

我已超过八十岁，在体力方面等有时也感到种种局限，这几年来，在回顾作为天皇的自身足迹的同时，也开始思考关于将来自己的应有状态以及公务。

As we are in the midst of a rapidly aging society, I would like to talk to you today about what would be a desirable role of the Emperor in a time when the Emperor, too, becomes advanced in age[上了年纪]. While, being in the position of the Emperor, I must refrain[5] from making any specific comments on the existing Imperial system, I would like to tell you what I, as an individual, have been thinking about.

在社会老龄化日益严重的情况下，当天皇也已届高龄，何种状态才是理想的？站在天皇立场上不具体触及现行的天皇制度，但今天，我作为个人，想谈谈至今为止思考之事。

Ever since my accession to the throne[即位;登基], I have carried out the acts of the Emperor in matters of state, and at the same time I have spent my days searching for and contemplating on what is the desirable role of the Emperor, who is designated to be the symbol of the State by the Constitution of Japan[日本宪法]. As one who has inherited a long tradition, I have always felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect this tradition.

即位以来，我在履行国事行为的同时，关于日本国宪法下被定位为象征天皇的理想状态，每天都在摸索中度过。作为传统的继承者，我深感继续守护传统的责任，

At the same time, in a nation and in a world which are constantly changing, I have continued to think to this day about how the Japanese Imperial Family can put its traditions to good use in the present age and be an active and inherent[内在的;固有的,生来就有的] part of society, responding to the expectations of the people.

处在日新月异的日本和世界之中，日本的皇室如何将传统寓于现代、使之鲜活地融合于社会并满足人们的期待，对此我思考至今。

It was some years ago, after my two surgeries that I began to feel a decline in my fitness level because of my advancing age, and I started to think about the pending[即将发生的;待定的,待决的] future, how I should conduct myself should it become difficult for me to carry out my heavy duties in the way I have been doing, and what would be best for the country, for the people, and also for the Imperial Family members who will follow after me.

在这一过程中，几年前我两次接受外科手术，加之因高龄感到体力减退之时起，我开始思考：今后，当出现难以像以往那样履行繁重公务时，应当如何安置自身，对国家、对国民，以及对我身后的皇族而言才是适当的方式。

I am already 80 years old, and fortunately I am now in good health. However, when I consider that my fitness level is gradually declining, I am worried that it may become difficult for me to carry out my duties as the symbol of the State with my whole being as I have done until now.

我已逾八十，尽管可说尚幸健康，但考虑到身体逐渐衰弱时，我担忧或难以像至今为止那样，全身心地完成象征天皇的公务。

I ascended to the throne[登上王位] approximately 28 years ago, and during these years, I have spent my days together with the people of Japan, sharing much of the joys as well as the sorrows that have happened in our country. I have considered that the first and foremost duty of the Emperor is to pray for peace and happiness of all the people. At the same time, I also believe that in some cases it is essential to stand by the people, listen to their voices, and be close to them in their thoughts.

我成为天皇将近二十八年，这期间我与人们共同度过了我国许多欢喜之时、以及悲伤之时。作为天皇的公务，我一直深认为应将祈愿国民的安宁和幸福放在首位，同时在行事之时，我认为有时站在人们的身旁，倾听他们的心声，体察他们的心情也十分重要。

In order to carry out the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and as a symbol of the unity of the people, the Emperor needs to seek from the people their understanding on the role of the symbol of the State. I think that likewise, there is need for the Emperor to have a deep awareness of his own role as the Emperor, deep understanding of the people, and willingness to nurture within himself the awareness of being with the people.

天皇作为象征的同时，为了扮演国民统合的象征这一角色，我感到天皇向国民就天皇这一象征立场谋求理解之外，也有必要深刻思考自身的应有状态，加深对国民的理解，并培养永远与国民同在的内在自觉。

In this regard, I have felt that my travels to various places throughout Japan, in particular, to remote places and islands, are important acts of the Emperor as the symbol of the State and I have carried them out in that spirit. In my travels throughout the country, which I have made together with the Empress[皇后], including the time when I was Crown Prince[皇太子], I was made aware that wherever I went there were thousands of citizens who love their local community and with quiet dedication continue to support their community.

在这一意义上，我感到造访日本各地、特别是偏远地区及岛屿之旅，作为天皇的象征性行为也是很重要的。包括皇太子时代，至今我与皇后一同前往的几乎遍及全国之旅，在国内任何地方，都让我认识到那里有着热爱当地、勤勤恳恳支撑着家乡的平凡的人们。

With this awareness I was able to carry out the most important duties of the Emperor, to always think of the people and pray for the people, with deep respect and love for the people. That, I feel, has been a great blessing.

我基于这一认识，作为天皇，抱着对人们深深的信赖和敬爱之情，心怀国民，得以履行为国民祈愿的重要公务是幸福的。

In coping with the aging of the Emperor, I think it is not possible to continue reducing perpetually[常常,老是;永远;没完没了地] the Emperor's acts in matters of state and his duties as the symbol of the State. A Regency[6] may be established to act in the place of the Emperor when the Emperor cannot fulfil his duties for reasons such as he is not yet of age or he is seriously ill. Even in such cases, however, it does not change the fact that the Emperor continues to be the Emperor till the end of his life, even though he is unable to fully carry out his duties as the Emperor.

伴随天皇趋于高龄的应对方式，无限缩小国事行为及作为象征天皇的行为或许很难。此外，因天皇未成年或病重等无法发挥应有的作用时，可考虑设置代行天皇行为的摄政。但是，即使是这样，天皇持续不能充分履行理应完成的公务，直到生命终结其作为天皇的身份始终不会改变。

When the Emperor has ill health and his condition becomes serious, I am concerned that, as we have seen in the past, society comes to a standstill and people's lives are impacted in various ways. The practice in the Imperial Family has been that the death of the Emperor called for events of heavy mourning, continuing every day for two months, followed by funeral events which continue for one year. These various events occur simultaneously with events related to the new era, placing a very heavy strain on those involved in the events, in particular, the family left behind. It occurs to me from time to time to wonder whether it is possible to prevent such a situation.

当天皇健康状态严重不佳时，如以前曾出现的那样，有可能导致社会停滞、给国民的生活也带来各种影响。而且作为至今为止的皇室惯例，天皇过世之后，连日举行的隆重殡葬仪式将持续近两个月，之后与丧葬有关的仪式会长达一年。这一系列仪式及与新时代相关的各种事项同时进行，因此与之相关的人们，尤其是天皇的家人不得已将处于非常艰难的状况。难道不能避免这样的事态吗？这一想法也不时萦绕于心。

As I said in the beginning, under the Constitution, the Emperor does not have powers related to government. Even under such circumstances, it is my hope that by thoroughly reflecting on our country's long history of emperors, the Imperial Family can continue to be with the people at all times and can work together with the people to build the future of our country, and that the duties of the Emperor as the symbol of the State can continue steadily without a break. With this earnest wish, I have decided to make my thoughts known.

正如开头所说，根据宪法，天皇没有参与国政之权能。这种情况下，此次在重新回顾我国漫长的天皇历史的同时，衷心祈愿今后无论何时皇室都能与国民同在、携手共筑这个国家的未来，以及象征天皇的公务永远不会中断、稳定持续下去，我在此讲述了自身的想法。

I sincerely hope for your understanding.

恳切希望能够得到国民的理解。

······

[1]stop short of doing something

If you stop short of doing or saying something, you decide not to do or say it although you almost do 差一点没（做或说）；险些（做或说）

I stopped short of telling him the brutal truth, but only just.

我险些把残酷的真相告诉了他，就差那么一点点儿。

[2]abdicate ['æbdɪkeɪt]

If a king or queen abdicates, they make a formal statement that they no longer want to be king or queen 逊位；退（位），让（位），正式放弃（王位）

King Edward VIII abdicated (the British throne) in 1936 so that he could marry Mrs Simpson, a divorced woman.

为了和离过婚的辛普森夫人结婚，英王爱德华八世在1936年退位（放弃英国王位）。

[3]provision：a statement within an agreement or a law that a particular thing must happen or be done, especially before another can happen or be done 规定，条款

We have inserted certain provisions into the treaty to safeguard foreign workers.

我们在条约中加入了一些条款以保护外籍员工。

[4]contemplate：to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long time in a serious and quiet way 盘算；沉思，冥想

[ + -ing verb ] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.

我打算出国1年。

You're not contemplating a change of job, are you?

你没考虑要换工作，是吗？

It's too awful/horrific/dangerous to contemplate.

这件事太糟糕／可怕／危险，简直不敢想。

[5]refrain：to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something 避免；忍住；节制

We refrained from talking until we knew that it was safe.

我们缄默不语，直到确定安全了才开始说话。

The sign on the wall said "Please refrain from smoking."

墙上有个牌子，上写“请勿吸烟”。

[6]Regency：a period of time when a country is ruled by a regent 摄政期的；摄政的

[注]摄政，指代国君处理国政。

······

日本天皇陛下今天（8日）发表视频讲话，向日本国民表达了自己的心情。天皇说，“考虑到身体逐渐衰老，完成象征天皇的公务，或将变得愈发困难”。天皇还说，“我期望象征天皇的公务得到稳定持续地履行，不会有所间断”。天皇陛下的讲话，强烈暗示了希望生前退位的愿望。

日本天皇陛下今天下午3时面向日本国民发表了10分钟有余的视频讲话。

天皇陛下首先表示，基于天皇的立场，不具体触及现行皇室制度。他说，“社会正日趋老龄化，当天皇年事已高，采取何种形式更为理想？我想就此谈一谈迄今为止的个人看法”。

天皇还表露心迹说，“考虑到身体逐渐衰老，一如既往，全身心地完成象征天皇的公务，或将变得愈发困难”。

天皇陛下还谈及天皇年老后的相关安排，认为不能无限缩减公务。

天皇还说，即使设置代理天皇公务的“摄政”一职，天皇虽然在皇位上终老，还是不能充分履行公务。他说，“如果天皇健康恶化，病情严重，或将导致社会停滞，对国民生活带来各种影响”。

最后，天皇说，“我衷心期望象征天皇的公务今后也能稳定而持续地履行，不会出现间断，不论什么情况，皇室都能与国民同在，携手同行，建设国家的未来”。视频讲话以“殷切期望得到国民理解”做结。

天皇陛下在视频讲话中表示，伴随年事增高，象征天皇的公务履行变得愈发困难。天皇还对大幅缩减公务或设置代理表达了否定性的看法。

在10分钟有余的讲话中，天皇期待象征天皇的公务能得到安定持续履行，不出现间断，从而强烈暗示了生前退位的愿望。

来源：http://t.cn/Rt9F2Jg

英文文本来源点击下方”阅读原文“