日本明仁天皇退位在即,5月1日,皇太子德仁將以年號「令和」揭開新時代(new era)。59歲接班的他將是國史上最年長登基的皇太子,平時作風親民,為人稱道。由於日本皇位只傳男嗣,德仁僅育有一女,即位後修法議題或將隨之浮上檯面。 【日皇交班淺談】 ■ new era 新時代 A:Japan will soon enter a new imperial era when Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the throne on 5/1. (5月1日,日本皇太子德仁登基,開啟新時代。) B:The calendar change stirs up concerns of Japan's potential "Y2K" problems. (更換年號引發各界關注日本千禧蟲問題。) ■ to brace for 準備 A:In addition, banks are bracing for higher cash demand during the 10-day holiday. (銀行正準備長假現金提款需求量大增的問題。) B:Investors and traders also worry about the market shutdown's impact on stocks and the yen. (投資人也很關心市場封關衝擊股票和日圓。) ■ heir 接班人、子嗣 A:However, without a male heir the new emperor also faces the problem of a shrinking royal line. (然而,新天皇沒有子嗣,皇室恐將面臨凋零危機。) B:Indeed, his only daughter will lose her title and live outside the palace once she marries a commoner. (對啊,未來第一公主婚後將失去皇室的稱謂和權利。) 【延伸關鍵字】 1. imperial:皇室的 2. to reign:統治 3. commoner:平民 多益時事通工作團隊獨家授權