The Symbolic Emperor System and the Media

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K00831
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03020:Japanese history-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: KAWANISHI Hideya 名古屋大学, 人文学研究科, 准教授 (20402810)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 象徴天皇制 / メディア / 宮内庁 / 記者

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The relationship between the symbolic emperors and the media was sometimes cooperative and sometimes fraught with tension. There was an affinity between the new media, such as weekly magazines and television, and the symbolic emperorship. The Crown Prince, Crown Princess and their children appeared in such media and gained public support. The Heisei era was at its peak. Reporters actively communicated about the Imperial Family, and the Imperial Household and the Imperial Household Agency also wanted to do so. Although a cooperative relationship was basically established, at the same time there were sometimes conflicts of interest between the two parties.

Free Research Field

日本近現代史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究によって、現在の象徴天皇制がいかに日本戦後史のなかで形成されてきたものなのかを理解することができる。今後の象徴天皇制のあり方を考える手掛かりになるとともに、象徴天皇制の現在を知る際の参照軸をも提示したと考える。
また、本研究が対象とした1970年代以降に関する研究は、戦後史研究の先鞭をつけたものであり、今後、歴史学が本格的に昭和後半から平成を研究する際に、参照されるものになったと思われる。さらに映像を歴史学の対象とする点でも、本研究の社会的意義は大きい。