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Japanese dare to ask: Do we really need an emperor?
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by 158 | February 2, 2009 at 06:03 pm
307 views | 16 Recommendations | 14 comments
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Having an Emperor or king
or queen as head of state
has some advantages, to
handle ceremonial duties
while a prime minister has
governmental duties.
Japan's imperial family is confronting a sharp crisis of confidence as it searches for a meaningful role in modern Japanese society.
While still revered, the imperial family – whose head was considered divine until 1945 – is increasingly pitied as its members struggle with their tightly constrained lives. And with Emperor Akihito's reign in its twilight, many Japanese are daring to ask what has been unspeakable for centuries: Does the country really need an emperor?
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Amitjha
new delhi, India
rumana husain
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
mudricky
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
Paschen
Narita, Chiba, Japan
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 18:11 on February 2nd, 2009
I wonder the same thing about England. It seems absurd to have any sort of Royal Family in the 21st century
at 18:18 on February 2nd, 2009
The only advantage, in a parliamentary system, isthat the monarch can take some of the ceremonial duties, giving the PM more time for running the government.
at 18:45 on February 2nd, 2009
When I was younger, I thought it all a waste, but as I got older, I saw that the emperor was a kind of living flag, and could help set the moral tone for the nation, leaving the president/prime minister as someone we can attack without feeling that we are attacking the nation.
Our US president is really a kind of high priest. The UK really treats the prime minister as the head servant of the household.
Let's put it this way: not a lot of money should be spent on it but let it be for now.
at 19:47 on February 2nd, 2009
A very good summary of this.
I agree.
at 21:11 on February 2nd, 2009
The Emperor (天皇 tennō?, literally "heavenly light,"[1] formerly often called the Mikado)of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Japanese Imperial Family. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in aconstitutional monarchy (see Politics of Japan). The Emperor of Japan is the only current head of state entitled "Emperor".
The current emperor is His Imperial Majesty the Emperor Akihito, who has been on the Chrysanthemum Throne since his father Hirohito died in 1989.
78% of Japanese support the Imperial Court and the Emperor as the Head of State.
at 07:39 on February 3rd, 2009
Paschen,
Thanks for that information on the Emperor.
at 02:48 on February 3rd, 2009
I'm no great supporter of Royal or Imperial families, like found in Britain and Japan. I think if there is a system of government then the head of that should at least be one elected by the people. Both the British Royal family and the Japanese Imperial family re-enforce a very ingrained class system, both creating an Honors system which isn't really based on reality. Like getting an OBE which equals "Order of the British Empire."
In Japan, the Imperial Family or the Chrysanthemum Throne dates back to the first Emperor of Japan in 660BC, the Emperor Jimmu, who they claim descended from the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, in other words, the Emperor is some kind of God. This lasted until the end of the Second World War when America forced a Constitution on Japan. The Emperor is no longer a God.
The main problem at the moment is that the law states only a male can ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne because somehow this will ensure some purity of the blood or gene line, but that's a load of bull! Many commoners have married into the Imperial Family including the current Empress Michiko, and the Crown Princess.
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess will ascend to the throne on the death of Emperor Akihito. But they have so far failed to produce a male child who would carry on this line, they have two daughters. There has been much discussion in the political circles about Japan having an Empress but there is strong opposition from many including the current Emperor Akihito.
Emperor Akihito is suppose to be the 125th Emperor since the time of the first Emperor Jimmu. But this isn't correct. He is the 125th Emperor or Empress of Japan, and indeed previously there have been 11 Empresses who ruled the throne. The last one was the Empress Go-Sakuramachi from 1762 to 1771.
Another recent tension and problem is the second son and is wife, of Emperor Akihito gave birth to a son who by law would ascend to the throne on the death of the current Crown Prince and not his first daughter.
The current Crown Prince wants his daughter to have the throne, the current Emperor wants the latest male child. This is causing tension between these two Imperial Households leading to both the Emperor and Empress suffering stress related illness.
The rest of Japan is divided somewhere along those lines.
Like I said, its all a load of bull!
at 07:46 on February 3rd, 2009
Thank you for all that very good information and for your view on royalty.
I still see nothing wrong with a royal family if they have no real power, but are only a symbol.
One minor correction. The crown prince would be succeeded by his brother, then his brother would be succeeded by the son who was just born.
at 02:59 on February 3rd, 2009
"to be or not to be"? good debate.
at 03:12 on February 3rd, 2009
There is no need for these so called symbolic heads.In this world , these kind of kingship hurts the concept of peopls power.
It is just a burden on taxpayers money.
at 07:49 on February 3rd, 2009
I think most kings will be, for many more generations.
Paying a king costs no more than paying an elected ceremonial president, as in Germany.
at 04:53 on February 3rd, 2009
The article states very clearly that the support for the Emperor is still broad and merely speculates that it may not be so any longer in 30 years time. Well we can all speculate in 30 year much can happen.
Fact is that Japanese do support their system and their Emperor with a very large majority and so be it. I think the Japanese have the right to decide for them self as the American may decide for their future and system and as the British may do as well for them self.
I do also believe that as a Foreigner of Immigrant in any country one has to accept and respect as well as follow the culture and Traditions with out forcing once own view onto the nation. That once Children that are born and raised in the new land can do soon enough.
The Emperor has a good side it as well and one that Japanese do endorse. I once was opposed to a monarchy as well and could not understand the British nor the Japanese system and yet I realize today living here that I was wrong, the Emperor in its present position is a benefit to Japan and helps keep things centred even if just symbolically.
at 06:43 on February 3rd, 2009
strange comment! nothing change by posting to NP or in the comments, its just news, opinions, thoughts whatever. So what happens in Israel and Gaza should be decided by the people who live in Israel.
I also remember during the US elections, you expressed many opinions and comments often against the thoughts of many Americans?
The world is international and no longer local. I pay American, British and Japanese taxes, I think that fact alone gives me the right to express how it should be spent including royal or imperial families.
On the issue of the Japanese Imperial family or for that matter, the British Royal family, only people with a vote can have any power.
I think in Japan, the issue of the Imperial family is no longer so clear cut and there are some who are beginning to ask serious questions.
at 16:55 on February 3rd, 2009
Zichi, Israel as a state has the right to decide Yes, However once it does inflict or conflict with others such as Palestine it is another issue. Why confusing issues and subject does not help any discussion.
The US do interfere internationally and forcefully there for their politics do affect us globally. Invading Iraq and financing Israel does no longer limit the US to a domestic issue does it.
I never said that some may not question it, however I merely stated what the article actually said and nothing more. Staying on subject with this article.