politics

Gov't eyes succession talks after crown prince's April announcement

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Anything but women. They'd rather drag some random fellow in off the street than support gender equality in the Imperial Family,even though it would undoubtedly makes them more appealing, and their precious bloodline more trustworthy. Such bs.

11 ( +16 / -5 )

I believe two of those female empresses ruled for about 50 years each; hardly a ‘placeholder’ empresses; obviously held some power. One female even abdicated so her daughter could become empress.

So much for Japanese ‘tradition’.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Read history books avidly, and these female empresses are mentioned in one sentance while a male who ruled ( ruled might be too strong) for a year is given a whole chapter. Nationalists are rabid for their interpretation of history, sadly Manga just doesn't supply an education worthy of any scrutiny.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The Japanese government said Monday it plans to engage in full-fledged discussions on achieving a stable imperial succession

A full- fledged discussion? Hate to say but it's been on the agenda for a decade or more, bit late and it's a family, their biggest obligation is their family why is the government wasting time on pressuring these poor people. As the song appley puts it " let it go, let it go"!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Tradition: There have been six female emperors previously. Last one was Empress Go-Sakuramachi (1740–1813), r. 1762–1771.

I believe two of those female empresses ruled for about 50 years each; hardly a ‘placeholder’ empresses; obviously held some power. One female even abdicated so her daughter could become empress. 

Time for Japan to admit that it’s not tradition but sexism.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

expat:

Monarchy is incompatible with modern democracy.

You claim has been proved wrong by a reality of a long list of modern nations under democratic constitutional monarchy such as UK, Denmark, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Japan.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

If I were Japanese I would demand that Princess Kako be eligible to become Empress. She is the best thing the Imperial family have going for it.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

The Japanese government said Monday it plans to engage in full-fledged discussions on achieving a stable imperial succession...

Sounds like the plan is to make horses and sumo wrestlers eligible.

I suppose if it's a viable alternative to a female member of the family it'll be on the table.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Osaka_Doug:

Diversity and inclusion (gender, LGBT etc) is needed in Japanese society to prosper in the future so the restriction for male only heirs needs to be changed to match the development of society. That's all there is to decide and "discuss".

Japan deeply values BOTH traditional and modern and does not give up one for the other, perhaps more than any other nations, making Japan a unique nation. If you value diversity, keep Japan alone instead of forcing Japan to become like yours.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Anything but women. They'd rather drag some random fellow in off the street than support gender equality in the Imperial Family ... Such bs.

Having a queen (actually more than one over the years) did not produce gender equality even within the British aristocracy. Outside of the monarchy, the rule is still primogeniture. Having two female prime ministers has not given Britain gender equality in politics. Parliament is still 66% male. Top corporate positions are even more heavily male.

Since imperial succession is based on hereditary principles, having a female emperor would not mean that every little girl in Japan could dream that she might become emperor.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

If you got money, you are treated like royalty, how is the Royal being protected from the Wuhan flu

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Gender Equality is a non issue. Men are men and women are women. common sense has prevailed thru thousands of years until recently some people have made it their career to foment discord between the legitimate sexes and promote bizarre alternatives. The Imperial Family has every right to decide how to handle the succession. the rules are clear and were the choice of the government and thru them the people. Let it be.

There are other things more worthy of concern.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

The obvious solution to ensure stable succession is to reinstate former imperial branch families. It’s that simple. Then there’d be no shortage of male successors. Keeping up the centuries old tradition is what makes Japan Japan.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

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