Yet many Japanese, says Yamashita, want the emperor to continue the long tradition of leading Shinto rituals, encouraging age-old cultural practices, and inspiring the nation.

• 山下先生认为，仍有许多日本人希望天皇可以延续长久以来传统的神道仪式，促进古老的文化习俗，并给整个民族以激励。