Japan to celebrate new emperor's accession in rites, parade in Oct 2019

No reason this hasn't happened already. 2019? Very disrespectful

That long? I agree, very disrespectful.

In contrast, the government is considering allowing female cabinet ministers, currently numbering two, to take part in the rite on the grounds they are unrelated to the imperial succession and would be attending as observers, the sources said.

This is such BS. The IHA needs a swift kick in the butt to bring them into the current century!

Crown Prince Naruhito is set to become the 126th emperor in the world's oldest hereditary monarchy believed to stretch back more than 2,600 years, including legendary figures whose existence is disputed.

Why, at the very end of the article is added with out an explanation of the supposed dispute? Poor reporting again!

@bass4funk

That long? I agree, very disrespectful.

Let Japanese people decide,not American. USA citizens have no right to interfere in Japanese Imperial Family.much older and longer tradition than USA.

Of course, the men of the family could simply refuse to participate unless the women were present. Simple.

Agree

let Japanese’s decide for themselves

nothing to do with us who do not understand their cultures

Let Japanese people decide,not American. USA citizens have no right to interfere in Japanese Imperial Family.much older and longer tradition than USA.

"Japanese" per say are NOT deciding, and as a Japanese citizen I TOO believe that there is no need for this abdication to take this long!

The government inserted itself into the discussion because they are fearful that following Emperor's will want to take the same path. The government IS being disrespectful to the needs of the Emperor!

Traditions are one thing, but times change and traditions can adapt to them as well! If "traditions" were kept as they were when the first Emperor's were around, 99% of the current government and the IHA would have had to slit their bellies!

Of course, the men of the family could simply refuse to participate unless the women were present. Simple.

It's not simple, far from it and sorry to say this, but you really do need to understand the culture here to know that THIS, while an option to onlookers from outside Japan, would not even enter the mind of people here as something that could even remotely occur.

katy - in surveys, the vast majority of Japanese people are in favour of having a female emperor and by extension are in favour of female members of the imperial family having a much wider role in society.

These criticisms posted by people here (many of who have lived in Japan for a long time and have a perfectly good understanding of Japanese culture) are of a handful of ultraconservative fossils deciding the role of women in key events in Japan that don't reflect the views of Japanese people.

 THIS, while an option to onlookers from outside Japan, would not even enter the mind of people here as something that could even remotely occur.

Way to talk as if you're a ninety-year old stuffed shirt conservative.

Nothing is impossible, certainly not this. Just because it hasn't happened, doesn't mean it can't or won't. As James Baldwin may have said, "People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."

Way to talk as if you're a ninety-year old stuffed shirt conservative

I am referring to the IHA, and unfortunately THEY are the one's that control everyone. And yeah, they are stuffed-shirts too.

"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."

I for one would love to see you have the IHA and the men of the Royal family here do it!

But critics say excluding female members would be out of touch with the times.

Isn’t the entire concept of monarchy “out of touch with the times”? I myself look forward to the next regnal period.

Thanks for explanations

I seriously want to be in Japan at this time.

I do respect the Imperial Family.

It would be so grand to be a part of the celebrations.

 I for one would love to see you have the IHA and the men of the Royal family here do it!

I'd give it a go. "G'wan your Imperial Deliciousness, be a rebel, take a stand, what can the IHA do - fire you?"

It is possible that the women would rather not go (just as women in countries stricken with landmines don't mind that much having to walk behind their husbands), but that is not the point. Thye IHA needs taking down a peg, for they have forgotten they are there to serve, not control.