The emperor’s constitutional status was drastically revised, depriving him of formal power; and in a single deft declaration, he managed to satisfy many of his foreign critics that he no longer claimed divinity.11 The last of these acts was accomplished in the form of a “Rescript to Promote the National Destiny” printed in newspapers nationwide on New Year’s Day. This was the emperor’s first formal address to his subjects since August 15, but its greatest impact was among foreigners. Popularly known as his “declaration of humanity” (ningen sengen), it was immediately hailed by the Americans
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