EMPEROR OF JAPAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 227, 25 September 1945, Page 5

EMPEROR OF JAPAN

REPORTS OF ABDICATION SAID TO BE UNTRUE

Recd. 11 p.m. Tokio, Sept. 24. Reports that the Emperor HirolVo has abdicated have been ’?nied.

The Prime Minister of Japan, Prince Higashi Kuni told General MacArthur’s intelligence section that reports that the Emperor had abdicated were unfounded. The private secretary of the ImP r 'ial Household Minister (Mr. Ishi»vat.a), stated that the report of abdication was groundless. A broadcast report from Chungking stated that Hirohito had abdicated as Emperor. The broadcast, which was not confirmed hy any other source, said that Hirohito abdicated on September 22 1o avoid punishment as a war criminal.

Hirohito sent his Foreign Minister. Yoshida, to interview General MacArthur regarding his abdication, and ask for orders, it was added. Prince. Konove (Vice-Premier of Japan), in an interview nrior to the Chungking broadcast, denied that Hirohito would abdicate. He said abdication would be disastrous for Japan because without the Emneror as a symbol, rival factions would disrunt nublie life. Moreover, abdication was impossible under the oonst. 5 - tut’on. although the Fmneror could abdicate because nF illness, whereupon the constitution provided for the appointment nf a recent tn serve until the death, when the Crown Prince wonk 7 be enthroned. He ndder] that Cabinet was planning new elections in January under 11m ex’stinr election laws. Cabinet had not received an election directive from General MacArthur. Tr was nko planning tn construct a considerable number of horn ns.