The demise of the last emperor: its influence on Japanese society from a thanatological viewpoint.
Emperor Hirohito of Japan died of cancer at the age of 87 on January 7, 1989. He was once worshipped as a god incarnate. After World War II, he renounced his divinity and became the symbol of both the state and the unity of the people. His demise brought into focus some unique aspects of the Japanese view of life and death. This paper discusses three topics pertaining to what the Emperor's death highlighted from a thanatological viewpoint: (1) junshi, or following one's master into death, (2) the disclosure of the nature of a malignant illness, and (3) death with dignity.
Takahashi
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D004379:Duodenal Neoplasms / Q000266:history*; D005197:Famous Persons; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012922:Social Change; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000266:history*