VOA慢速英语--新规使皇室更接近普通日本人

New Rulers Bring Royal Family Closer to Ordinary Japanese

Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are bringing changes to one of the world’s oldest royal families.

The two have spoken with foreign visitors in English. They laugh with children and even play with dogs.

They are Japan’s first emperor and empress to have earned university degrees. They speak several languages and have years of experience of living overseas. At one time, the future emperor even washed his own clothes.

Six months after starting their official duties, they appear to be making Japan’s royal family more international and bringing it closer to the lives of average citizens.

They have also surprised many Japanese who worried they might have trouble taking the place of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. Many were worried about Empress Masako, who has struggled for years with what officials call an “adjustment disorder².”

“Though the previous emperor and empress were seen as being close to the people, these two seem even closer,” said Hideya Kawanishi. She is an assistant history professor at Nagoya University.

Emperor Naruhito is the first Japanese ruler to be cared for by his mother instead of being raised by nurses and teachers. His parents made efforts to give him a normal childhood, including sending him to school with food for lunch.

He earned a degree from Gakushuin University where he studied water systems. He then spent two years at the University of Oxford³, which he said were some of the best years of his life. He later married Masako Owada, a diplomat⁴, following objections⁵ to his choice from officials.

The two have one daughter, 17-year-old Aiko who, as a woman, cannot take the Chrysanthemum⁶ Throne⁷.

The royal couple’s overseas experience was evident⁸ when they held a dinner for U.S. President Donald Trump⁹ soon after they took power. They spoke¹ to Trump and his wife, Melania, in English, only later agreeing to use an interpreter because of official rules.

The emperor and empress speak English so well, it is clear they have lived internationally, Kawanishi said. The couple seems a world away from the traditional behavior of the past.

Emperor Naruhito has agreed to have his picture taken with members of the public while traveling overseas. In Japan, he and his wife recently laughed with children and played with dogs during a visit to a dog shelter.

“This is not something you could imagine the previous imperial¹⁰ couple ever doing, at least not so naturally,” Kawanishi said.

Worries have faded

Empress Masako’s struggles with her adjustment disorder and official duties. She lived a very private life for the past 10 years, but now she is an empress with a quick smile. The Japanese public seems to have forgotten about her health issues.

“Of course, her health is a mental issue so there are ups and downs, but worries have rather faded,” said Hidehiko Kasahara, a professor at Keio University who specializes¹¹ in royal issues.

Empress Masako may have more responsibilities, but taking the throne may also give her more freedom because she is now the empress.

“The fact that she can act as she wants means there is less stress. Rather, it’s a plus for her recovery,” Kasahara said.

For now, she and the emperor appear to be moving slowly as they take on their official duties.

I'm Susan Shand.

Words in This Story

emperor – n. a man who rules an empire

royal – adj. of or relating to rulers

degree – n. a special recognition¹² given to a student after completing a program of study

adjustment – n. a small change that improves something or makes it work better

previous – adj. former

nurse – n. someone who cares for the sick or young children

throne – n. a royal seat

interpreter – n. one who translate from one language to another

fade – v. to lose freshness or strength

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

3 Oxford   

n.牛津（英国城市）

参考例句：

• At present he has become a Professor of Chemistry at Oxford.他现在已是牛津大学的化学教授了。
• This is where the road to Oxford joins the road to London.这是去牛津的路与去伦敦的路的汇合处。

4 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

5 objections   

n.反对( objection的名词复数 )；异议；厌恶；反对的理由

参考例句：

• I think we can safely dismiss their objections. 我认为我们对他们的异议完全可以不予理会。
• The chairman overrode the committee's objections and signed the agreement. 主席不顾委员会的反对，径行签署了协议。

6 chrysanthemum   

n.菊，菊花

参考例句：

• Each mourner wore a black armband and a white paper chrysanthemum.每个吊唁的人都佩带着黑纱和一朵白纸菊花。
• There are many species of chrysanthemum.菊花品种很多。

7 throne   

n.御座，宝座；王位，王权

参考例句：

• He was the legal heir to the throne.他是王位的合法继承人。
• The throne was footed with gold.这御座是用黄金做的脚。

8 evident   

adj.明显的，显然的，明白的

参考例句：

• It's evident to me that they have no experience in this work.在我看来，他们干这项工作没有经验是显而易见的。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

9 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

10 imperial   

adj.帝王的，至尊的；n.特等品

参考例句：

• They made an objection to the imperial system with resolution.他们坚决反对帝制。
• The Prince Imperial passed away last night.皇太子昨晚去世了。

11 specializes   

v.专门从事，专攻( specialize的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She specializes in obstetrics. 她是产科专家。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The cinema specializes in Italian films. 这家电影院专门放映意大利电影。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。