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Imperial Household Agency denies emperor's wish to abdicate

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Abe has been claiming Japanese constitution needs to be changed. How about to change the chapters of Emperor so that Emperor has right to abdicate or refuse some demands by gov't to travel oversea? He is not healthy. He had a couple major surgery.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The lawmaker was reprimanded and he lost election. There was discussion when he would be in jail.

Taro Yamamoto was elected to the House of councillors in July 2013. He handed a letter about the effects of Fukushima to the Emperor at a garden party in October of the same year, for which he was reprimanded by the leader of the upper house and barred from all future events related to the Imperial family. He has not lost any election since then, and continues to be an opponent of the Abe administration. There was never any suggestion of him going to jail, though he did receive a death threat from a right-wing nutter.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Imperial Household Agency has duty to isolated Emperor from public. If Nippon Kaki members tried to influence Emperor by letters or verbally, they would be all in jail by now. Some hears ago a young lawmaker wrote a letter to Emperor, gave his letter at greeting ceremony and Emperor gave it to Imp offical as He is prohibited to receive anything. The lawmaker was reprimanded and he lost election. There was discussion when he would be in jail. Are Nippon Magi members in jail for their unconstitutional action? NHK has been reporting Emperor's words. Even when they might be milled WWII. Read Emperor section of Constitution. He can't get out easily.Unlike kidnapped people.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

The Emperor and Empress are in poor health. Let them retire.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@browny1 Well said! I had been feeling that the media might have been making too big a deal out of this lobby group, but you make a good point about why we should consider their influence.

@bullfighter I will read that book; thank you for mentioning it. I did some checking around online and could not find any reference to this 日本会議 having a specific policy about abdication. Though they are certainly obsessed with the imperial legacy and some (mainly mythical) notions about the emperor system from the old days.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Exactly. The I.H.A has no place in the 21st century. They are an abomination and like Nippon Kaigi, should be disbanded.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Bullfighter - this is a public forum where people express their opinions, make comments and offer information. As on most forums on many topics these commenters are not authorities and don't try to be - just as I suggested putting their views forward - just like you.

And re Nippon Kaigi - regardless of ones personal slant, as a matter of fact, it is comprised of a collection of very senior people in the world of politics, media & business. It openly states it's revisionist position on any number of subjects including the role of the emperor and his status and the desire to return to values of "the good old days" - eg the passing of laws to enforce the teaching of "patriotism" in schools.

Many people are becoming more aware of their presence / influence and as such are becoming wary of their intent. It is very much within the realm of credibility, to suggest that Nippon Kaigi may well be playing an influential out-of-sight role in the coming and goings of the Imperial Household Agency hence the role of the Emperor himself.

We don't need to be whacky conspiracy theorists or self-ordained authorities to witness and comprehend what is happening to the political and social landscape of a country many of us love.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I believe it's the Nippon Kaigi who are behind the Imperial Household Agency trying to muzzle our Emperor. (BTW, I'm not Japanese but I live here, so I affectionately call him 'our'). He's definitely throwing a wrench into the Kaigi's fast moving wheels.

I did a Japanese language search on 日本会議 天皇陛下 生前退位 and didn't find anything that would make me think that the Nippon Kaigi is worked up about this.

I trust all those who are making "authoritative" comments about the Imperial Household Agency and the Nippon Kaigi have read what the author of 日本会議の研究 (扶桑社新書) has to say about the Nippon Kaigi. (This is the book they allegedly tried to suppress.)

巨大な組織に見えますが、中身は空っぽです

日本会議には約3万8000人の会員がいますが、その多くは「日教組の教師は追い出せ」と叫んでいるような団塊世代の愛国オジサンや愛国オバサンです。圧力団体としての日本会議は、労働組合や業界団体などのかつての圧力団体と比べて規模は小さく、財界に強力スポンサーがいるわけでもない。この1年で徹底的に資料を集めて調べましたが、日本会議の小ささ、弱さが目についたのが正直な感想です。

http://www.nikkan-gendai.com/articles/view/news/182670

But, this Japanese journalist only spent a year research the Nippon Kaigi. Some people in this venue claim to have been on its case for decades.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

who wouldn't want to get away from such a controlling agency?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Imperial Household Agency denies emperor's wish to abdicate

I read that in a different way compared to how the article explained it.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think the Emperor really wants to retire. Japan overuse him. Media people know. Too many restriction to his daily life.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Get rid of the IHA. This is the 21st century and I believe the IHA, NHK and Kyodo News don't have to worry about an abdication shocking the nation into paralysis. Let the emperor enjoy his golden years. Let his son take over the ceremonial role.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

BertieWooster: The next step the Emperor should take before retirement is disbanding the Imperial Household Agency. He is the emperor, isn't he?

How about making it illegal to whitewash history? Or have some power-hungry bullies hide behind the Emperor? I'm sure the IHA is trying to get the emperor to retract his words. Anyway, buy time for the Nippon Kaigi to redraw their plans.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

"For the Nippon Kaigi crowd, it's a bit like the Pope retiring. There's just no precedent for it."

Unless one goes far enough back in history, to the years leading up to the Gempei Wars. Of course then, the emperor retired as a ploy to gain more power as an "advisor" to the newly installed emperor, but it is very doubtful that is the plan here...

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Culture is a Culture need to be respected by one and a;l is my take too.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I believe it's the Nippon Kaigi who are behind the Imperial Household Agency trying to muzzle our Emperor. (BTW, I'm not Japanese but I live here, so I affectionately call him 'our'). He's definitely throwing a wrench into the Kaigi's fast moving wheels.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Traditionally, the Japanese emperors were switched out every 5-10 years if I recall, with the previous emperor/empress acting as regent for the current.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If you know people who are his age, notice how they walk. Do they walk without a cane? Don't they use a wheelchair? Or someone hold their hand to assist walking?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ever Thought the Emperor is Getting on / older. He may want to pass down his position to a younger person and at his age the poor fuller just may want to sleep in in the morning and go to bed after tea time at night and rest instead of worrying about all of the countries daily problems .So if he feels his age, give the chap a break and support him till his days are over.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Since Reagan, the US has been pressuring Japan in many ways to remilitarize.

Way, way before Reagan. The pressure started during the Korean war.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The next step the Emperor should take before retirement is disbanding the Imperial Household Agency.

He is the emperor, isn't he?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

For the Nippon Kaigi crowd, it's a bit like the Pope retiring. There's just no precedent for it.

Pope Benedict retired in 2013. Pope Francis has plans to retire within a few years. There were precedents for Popes and for Tennos.

What is the role of the Imperial Household Agency?

Messing the lives of the inmate of the Imperial Family Jail. They have full powers and nodody can contradict them (neither elected officials nor the Royals themselves). That's an absurdity that should disappear.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Hum, NHK news tonight is still going with the story that the Emperor wants to retire. They only mentioned in one sentence that the Imperial Household Agency denied the report. They also showed coverage in the foreign press. Interesting that HNK is sticking to its story.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Interesting. What is the role of the Imperial Household Agency? Isn't it bizarre that NHK and Kyodo dare to report on something about the Emperor that the top official of the Agency denies?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The Imperial Household Agency should be banished and disavowed. Once that occurs the family can finally put an end to this overburdened forced tax system and money used to help those who are real need like the elderly.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It is not just Nippon Kaigi that wants Japan to remilitarize. Since Reagan, the US has been pressuring Japan in many ways to remilitarize. I forgot the phrasing, but they said that Japan must be a military force corresponding to its economic status in the world. The remilitarization is nothing new. Japanese readers should take a look at Nippon Kaigi's home page.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

THAT didn't take long! The Imperial Family has always been hostage to the Imperial Household Agency, and they in turn are run by the Nippon Kaigi, so they do what the Nippon Kaigi and their ilk do and have always done best: deny it ever happened and demand everyone else pretend to do so as well.

Sorry, but no putting this cat back in the bag. I hope the Emperor, how is probably now not being allowed near any cameras lest he make the Imperial Household Agency look bad and Japan's Ultra-right panic, but I hope this great old man comes forward and makes it clear that in fact the Imperial Household Agency is lying and he does indeed wish to abdicate.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Hilarious that the Emp didn't find it necessary to consult with the IHA before leaking the story to the press. A veritable palace coup by the boss, rebelling against his supposed underlings! Another feather in his cap.

14 ( +14 / -0 )

for a more-than 2,600-year-old royal line.

how on earth can anyone get away with writing such nonsense?

1,600 years maximum...... the 2600 year figure is pure myth......

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Abdicating on Bastille day would have been highly symbolic though!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I'm getting the same feeling as mu-da.

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Most conspicuous is the timing immediately after the election. Mybe the current emperor who seems to be a decent man does not want to be instrumentalised for the fascist objectives of Nippon Kaigi.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Pope benedict retired in 2013 due to age & ailing health - which of course caused no amount of consternation.

Thanks, Browny1

Being a lapsed Catholic I look through all sorts of infallibility and authority BS. The Vatican's own myth was deftly exploded by Benny, the high point of his papacy, IMO.

His nibs beyond the moat deserves respect first and foremost from the household agency. They should serve him, not vice versa.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It sounds like the Emperor has pulled a "SMAP".

I like the Emperor more.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

It sounds like the Emperor has pulled a "SMAP".

We're splitting up!

Oh no, you're not! Get back to work!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Get your story straight, y'all.

Sometimes it seems like the Imperial Household Agency is the Church of Scientology, and the Emperor is an unwilling member.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

So I guess the Imperial Household Agency are affiliated with Nippon Kaigi.

Birds of a feather flock together.

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Spot on browny1 !

5 ( +8 / -3 )

sensenotsocommon - actually there is a precedent with the pope retiring. Pope benedict retired in 2013 due to age & ailing health - which of course caused no amount of consternation.

But I agree with your sentiments. There is rumour (of course) that with the Rights rise and Nippon Kaigis influence, the current Nice-Man Emperor, wants no part of it all, and decries the use of the position of Emperor for political gains and nationalistic propaganda.

And of course Abe & Co are mum on this - they're all part of it.

20 ( +21 / -1 )

It truly is the gilded cage. Even in the old days, the Emperor was treated as a living deity who was kept silent and away from the seat of power.

Looks like things haven't changed that much.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Come on, he has done his bit, let him out of the cage!

16 ( +16 / -0 )

“It is absolutely not true,” Vice Grand Steward Shinichiro Yamamoto told reporters late Wednesday.

Well, if it turns out to be true, I hope you get an imperial kick in the ass - right out the door.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

So I guess the Imperial Household Agency are affiliated with Nippon Kaigi.

8 ( +12 / -4 )

For the Nippon Kaigi crowd, it's a bit like the Pope retiring. There's just no precedent for it.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

The best thing would be for the emperor to hold a press conference and state his wishes (if he really does want to abdicate), but, of course, the Imperial Household Agency and government won't permit it.

I'm trying to remember how the Dutch government handled it when the queen abdicated in favor of her son two years ago. Does anyone remember?

6 ( +9 / -3 )

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