Japanese emperor's comments cause stir

[kskiska]

TOKYO (AP) - Japanese officials rushed on Friday to dismiss suggestions that the emperor overstepped his authority and meddled in government affairs by voicing his opposition to Tokyo schools' policy of compulsory patriotism.

Wading into the controversy over patriotism in schools, Emperor Akihito on Thursday said he hoped nobody was being forced to face the flag and sing the national anthem - both potent symbols of Japan's brutal 20th century invasion of Asia.

The comments caused a stir in Japan because the post-World War II constitution strictly limits the emperor to acting as a figurehead and bars him from policy-making.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday he thought Akihito wasn't trying to influence the government.

"It should be natural for him to say that. That's how I view it," Koizumi told reporters. "The comment shouldn't be viewed as political."

more…
http://www.bakersfield.com/24hour/world/story/1780640p-9634863c.html

[Sannum]

1. The "Imperial Household Agency"

Is holding the Japanese Imperial Family Hostage. A Gilded cage, but still it is a cage.

[bpilgrim]

2. he hasn't forgotton

"At the royal family's annual autumn garden party Thursday, Tokyo school board member Kunio Yonegawa told the emperor he was trying to make all Japanese students stand for the flag raising and sing the anthem.

In unusually blunt language, Akihito replied: "It is desirable that it not be compulsory." Yonegawa quickly agreed, thanked the emperor and bowed."

I am glad he feels this way.

peace

[GainesT1958]

3. Well, sounds like, on THIS one..

They should take the new Emperor at his word!:D

Banzai!

B-)

[w4rma]

4. Good man. (nt)

[7th_Sephiroth]

5. how do the people feel about the emperor

i wonder if he might make a stand against the current system

[wackywill]

6. I've often wondered why

during WWII we didn't bomb the emperor's estate (castle?). Especially early in the war during the Doolittle raid.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. Actually, part of the Imperal Palace was damaged during the war

but it's been rebuilt.

If you want to know more about Akihito, read Windows for the Crown Prince, by Elizabeth Gray Vining, who was appointed by the Occupation authorities to be Akihito's English teacher.

The first poster is correct that the Imperial Household Agency are a bunch of tight asses who exercise control over the family. That's why I'm delighted to have Akihito speaking out.

His oldest son is not afraid to speak out, either. His wife has been having emotional problems, partly from having to give up her career, and partly because of her difficulty with having children. The couple has one daughter, and the crown princess is already 40 years old. The current crown prince (his official name is Hiro-no-miya, but that's not his real name, which I forget) told off the press for hounding her.

Then he released videos of their daughter, who is now an extremely bright and sociable 2 or 3 year old. I suspect that he is trying to prepare the public and unofficially lobby for the idea of allowing his daughter to succeed to the throne.

[Lisa]

8. the Household rules and regulations would drive me nuts!

Speaking as a 30-something North American woman of Japanese ancestry ... I really feel sorry for the females who marry into the family. Definitely not my scene. No wonder the crown princess said "no" to Prince Naruhito the first time. The regimentation and nitpicking make the British royals look easygoing by comparison! I was discussing this with a couple of Japanese colleagues, and they're of the opinion that the combined pestering by the Household and the media has made the princess unwell. (One of them's the same age as the princess, and is under a lot of pressure from her family to "come back to Japan, settle down and give us a grandson", so she totally sympathizes.)

Glad to hear that the Emperor's granddaughter is doing so well, Lydia! I really hope that she isn't picking up any of those court vibes -- it would be awful if she grew up feeling inadequate because she wasn't born male. Bright and sociable, huh? Sounds like she's just the kind of shakeup that the Chrysanthemum Throne needs.

Is it true that Japan actually changed its succession law to men-only AFTER World War II?

[fugue]

9. I don't know about changes after WWII

But my understanding is that the best evidence indicates that the first monarchs of Japan were female. (I'm sorry, I don't remember where I read that. . . .) Their role was mostly ceremonial/religious, but given that that is the role of the emperor now, what's the problem with a woman there again?

I don't see why the emperor isn't allowed to express his opinion on this, or any, matter. I'd feel the same way if he had expressed the opposite opinion, but I am glad he's of the opinion he is.

My sympathies to the crown prince and princess, too. I'm about the princess' age, and I know how I'd feel. I'm glad that it sounds like the prince is determined that his daughter will not feel she is inadequate. I wish all girls on the planet had fathers like that.