美国有线新闻 CNN 天皇准备退位 日本启用新年号

 

AZUZ: What is the only country in the world that currently has an emperor? Sweden, Thailand, Morracco, or Japan. Though the role is mostly symbolic¹, Japan's emperor is the only person with that title on the planet.

The country is officially a parliamentary, constitutional monarchy². Japan's decision making power is in the hands of its elected officials, and the emperor functions mostly as a symbol of the nation, but his birthday is a national holiday. And until 2017, he was required to serve in his role until he died. The nation changed the law that year. And now after 30 years on the throne, Emperor Akihito is preparing to step down on May 1st. He'll become the first Japanese monarch³ in 200 years to do that. His son, Crown Prince Naruhito will succeed him as Japan's 126th emperor. And on Monday, a month ahead of the new monarch's appointment, a new era will officially begin in Japan. Eras are what Japan's calendar system are based on, and they carry personal and political importance to many Japanese.

1 symbolic   

adj.象征性的，符号的，象征主义的

参考例句：

• It is symbolic of the fighting spirit of modern womanhood.它象征着现代妇女的战斗精神。
• The Christian ceremony of baptism is a symbolic act.基督教的洗礼仪式是一种象征性的做法。

2 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

3 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。