Yamamoto barred from future palace events

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

Screw the Palace events. Somethings are more important than standing around in a tux and having a fake smile on your face.

If I were Taro, I wouldn't care one bit. I'd run with this moment. I'd get the people behind me and have them re-elect me to push the rest of this turd government to do something more substantial.

Be the revolutionary, Taro!

Of course Yamamoto San, don't step down for your rights. You did what you had to do and I know that your intentions was good!

A lot of people are behind you, stick to your guns. As for the comment by Yamazaki, "...do nothing to tarnish the name of the Diet." What a joke. How many politicians in the Diet have done worse than handing a letter to another human being?

Are they in complete denial about Fukushima? Much more important that we respect some anachronistic protocol than highlight a still dangerous natural disaster. It is like the Japanese ship is sinking and no one is noticing because they are too busy looking at the horizon. If you challenge the status quo in Japan the compliant media will happily smear you and completely destroy your reputation to please the establishment.

It's highly unlikely that the emperor is ignorant of what is, and has been happening in Fukushima. It's quite possible he knows even more than Yamamoto does. It was not only a breach of protocol, but potentially insulting that a third party like Yamamoto would assume that he is more informed than the emperor about what is going on in the country, whether or not this is true. His action is more likely to hurt his cause than to help it.

"do nothing to tarnish the name of the Diet...we've done that enough ourselves already"

How is giving letter to the Emperor going to solve anything about Fukushima since the Emperor has nothing to do with politics. It's just one propaganda event caused by Yamamoto whether he thought about it or not.

“Always keep in mind that you are a lawmaker and do nothing to tarnish the name of the Diet,”

Ummm... Yamazaki, I'd say "pot meet kettle", but it's YOU who is tarnishing the rep of the Diet with statements like these, not Yamamoto, who is only trying to help his people while you try to save face. This is only going to bolster Yamamoto's cause in some circles.

Great! More publicity!

Oh, yes that radiance of light that shines from the diet due to taking up the needs of The People, what a crock! Well done Mr Yamamoto. Well done. You have assets the size of King Kong. We have TOTAL respect for YOU.

The decision did not specify what exactly Yamamoto did wrong,

If he did nothing wrong then the only ones who are tarnishing the name of the Diet are those lawmakers who don't seem to understand that you cannot punish someone if they didn't break a law or written rule. If they don't want people communicating with the Emperor then make it a law and make it apply to everyone.

What they're doing here is unjust, which is a quality I do NOT want to see in people like lawmakers.

Abe and the emperor of Japan I have no respect for both are you. You guys don't even care about the people of Tohoku and have to respect for your own country.

It's doubtful the Emperor has any idea of the truth of Fukushima. The guy is a prisoner in a particularly nice prison. I doubt they are bringing him the Japan times to read every day.

Stand proud, Yamamoto. Sometimes it's necessary to break the rules.

If the Emperor doesn't know; he should. He stands for the land of Japan, which is seriously endangered by the situation at Fukushima.

A word from the Emperor, though such a thing is unheard of, might bring some urgency to this issue.

Yamamoto did the right thing.

In Japan, drastic change can only come from one place: the very top. Of course, it's true that the Emperor cannot be seen as taking action, but when confronted in public like this, I hope that behind closed doors he will exert all power at his disposal to push corrupt agencies like TEPCO and the turn-the-other-eye government to speed up the clean up in Fukushima and do the right thing for those displaced in Tohoku.

Yamamoto must be reprimanded, disciplined and have it made clear to him that the job of a responsible diet member is to do sod all.

meaningless considering the Emperor hasn't even read the letter. The Emperor and Diet is not where to start this counter revolution, but within Japanese communities themselves. Good luck to Yamamoto-san

This is the LDP the people wanted back in power.

apologized for troubling the emperor.

Last time I checked, the emperor was hanging out with Kumamon. I am sure he wasn't that troubled.

This title should have of been called Yamamoto barred from future palace events for doing the right thing or it can be called Yamamoto barred from future palace events for standing up for the people of Tohoku.

Emperor Akihito addressed the nation at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on March 16, 2011, after the powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit northeastern Japan. So, Emperor knows about Fukushima, He visited Fukushima people several times, too.

What a weird country!

@Bertie: Hi, long time, Read Emperor of Japan in Wikipedia to conform your feeling.

This article is 4th, J/t National has third article. JT Politc Board has 2nd article. First article is gone. When Japanese Govt will have next disclosure on Yamamoto treatment, I'd bet it will be on National Board.

"@Bertie: Hi, long time, Read Emperor of Japan in Wikipedia to conform your feeling."

I took the advice and confirmed the following:

Akihito is a son of a war criminal who brought a great tragedy to Japan. Unfortunately, McArthur spared Akihito’s dad from being hanged. However, McArthur made his dad, Hirohito, to tell the truth to Japanese people that he is not a god so that people are no longer manipulated.

In conclusion, Japan is a weird country. Mr. Yamamoto is reprimanded for trying to better help the victims or prevent future victims. Things like this happen only in Japan.

@John" I think Yamamoto gave up to talk to political parties. He supported some of Communist Party Agendas but even Commies did not help at all. It must be his last recourse what he did. But, at least Emperor talked something to him. It was progress. I'd bet Emperor was so glad he could talk to young ordinal man, Yamamoto is polite. He has not said what Emperor said. Before A class was going to be hang. Emperor Showa tried to get Him hang saying it was all his responsibility. Truman ordered MacArthur to hang but Gen Mac did not because brain washed Japanese were ready to perform Ichi-Oku Gyokusai. I was in 7th grade and my familyI keot one jar of Ketchup to pretend we did Gyokusai. Not everybody did like us. Emperor was never been on trial/ Others were on trial and got guilty verdict. Gen Mac was in Japan so he knew it will be chaotic. This brain washed Japanese sill attack Occupation GIs, that was for sure.

Yamamoto doesn't belong to any party and yet he gets chewed out for doing the right thing!?

He should form his own party!!

Michael, he was chewed for his action at the garden party,

he is just doing what is expected from him, to represent his people. if the Diet think it is just too disgraceful the act, they should do something in the first place. If some constructive has been done, I don't think Yamamoto would do what he did. unless he is all for attention.

He does what he thinks right, Just like when he went to Saga City priotest even he is not Saga City resident. He did not know City government is not Prefecture Govt. So, he went to Prefecture Govt and scared Prefecture Govt employees by broke into Governor's office, but Governor was not there. Govt employees were glad Governor was not in office to be attacked or kidnapped. Why does he do that? Why other lawmakers don;t go along him? He openly said Japan is the terrorist country and Japanese are all terrorists in public. It is OK he says Takeshima belongs to S, Korea but people don't want to be arrested and executed as terrorists.

All these pointless "scandals"... only because he is anti-nuclear.

@Eiji: Itis not a scandal. In 2011, he announced that he "would no longer be a silent accomplice of the terrorist nation Japan", and became a protester in the anti-nuclear movement. He said his position. Dont you believe Yamamoro was honest in his position? He did not create scandals at all. He wanted people to know his point. He never has been a lizr but you sound like you telling Yamamoto is a liar.

The nail that sticks up..

Can't the Emperor read? He should be exposed to everything that takes place, I am sure he would be very pleased if the harness was taken off him. This 2013, not 1713..

There should be more politicians like Yamamoto, it does make a refreshing change.

What does politician and diapers has in common?

From the looks of it, the emperor (and I use that term lightly cause he sure ain't no emperor of mine) looks so out of it that he probably doesn't know whether he's comin or goin!

Seems to be a growing young minority speaking out against the nuke issue. I met Yamamoto in Shinagawa once, seemed like a grounded dude to me, didnt know he was a commie, I think he is just part of the green movement. I dont know why he should apologize to anybody; I acutally thought it took allot of courage to do what he did. He is a Japanese, and the Emperor represents his subjects, why cant he be allowed to approach? Too many right wing nuts make the Emperor out to be something he isnt. He only there because Truman allowed him to remain, otherwise that would of been discontinued in 1945.

Not Truman who wanted to hang Showa Tenno. MacArtur and MacArtur Constitution enabled Emperor Throne existence after Gen, Mac ordered Japanese Govt to confisticate Emperor's asset. About all Japanese are aware of Constitution Article1 - 8, Many organization used Seiganho to apply their wish, Some may be comical issues but they successfukky could make Japanese Diet consider. Gen, Mac did not want brainwashed Japanese kill themselves all over in Japan. Ichioku Gyokusui was slogan, MacArthr Constitution promised Japanese to be free. Gen. Mac did not want to have suicided Japanese on entire Japan. Remind you it was harakiri samurai nation for many hundred generations, ketchup was scarce in Japan then, Lucky Ketchup holder family could pretend they particiapted in 100 million suicide. They had to make surer which part of body you put ketchup and practice you are not breathing in case some militant inspect dead bodies.