Question

In japan, the _ had nearly total power, but he was also assitied by _

Answer 1

In Japan, the emperor had nearly total power, but he was also assisted by his ministers and counselors.  Because the sentence is in the past we can assume that the sentence alludes to the emperor Hirohito who had more power at that time. Nowadays the emperor in Japan is almost like a decorative figure since the Prime Minister has more power.