Japan succession law flaunts constitution: Princess Aiko

[gkanai]

Huh. Good news I suppose.

I wonder how this will go over with the sexist, conservatives....

In 1948 the Japanese Parliament passed the Imperial House Law, which flouted the new Constitution and restricted the throne to "male offspring." Among Japanese legal scholars and elected officials, the law is widely considered unconstitutional. Princess Aiko has full rights to the throne.

Beate Sirota Gordon
New York, Aug. 7, 2004
The writer, a civilian aide to Gen. Douglas MacArthur, drafted the women's rights articles of the 1947 Japanese Constitution.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12japan.html

[Taro Toporific]

Huh. Good news I suppose.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12japan.html

For the non-cancerous, no-registeration-required link to the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12japan.html?ex=1250049600&en=f115b2ad60f3cfed&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

Via the New York Times Link Generator
Also to read just the headlines and lead sentence of New York Times stories: http://nytimes.blogspace.com/

[Taro Toporific]

Huh. Good news I suppose.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12japan.html

For the non-cancerous, no-registeration-required link to the NY Times OpEd, " Japan succession law flaunts constitution: Princess Aiko":
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/12/opinion/l12japan.html?ex=1250049600&en=f115b2ad60f3cfed&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

Via the New York Times Link Generator
Also to read just the headlines and lead sentence of New York Times stories: http://nytimes.blogspace.com/

[Mulboyne]

Steve Bildermann picked that up on Taro's thread Here
Unfortunately, the law is only unconstitutional if the court rules it so. Here's hoping.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Why hope? Do you really give a shit one way or the other if Japan allows an Empress or not?

[Mulboyne]

Why hope? Do you really give a shit one way or the other if Japan allows an Empress or not?

Yes I do. The politics of Asia are important for the West. As I commented in answer to Taros's post, I think that an Empress could be a way for Japan to redefine their relationship with Asia. With the current political climate, I don't see politicians helping to smoothe the way but maybe an Empress would be a less antagonistic figurehead. It maybe a long time to wait for succession - but maybe not. But a constitutional change could happen earlier. I'm English but I'm no supporter of constitutional monarchy. However, I don't see Japan ditching theirs so at least I hope they can use it to better effect.

[kotatsuneko]

wonder if having empress' again might stop the powers surrounding the family murdering and conspiring etc?

shock horror, maybe the household comfort women might no longer be in employment?

[Tonshu]

wonder if having empress' again might stop the powers surrounding the family murdering and conspiring etc?

shock horror, maybe the household comfort women might no longer be in employment?

I am totally ignorant of this. Could you supply some urls? It would be much appreciated.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Why hope? Do you really give a shit one way or the other if Japan allows an Empress or not?

Yes I do. The politics of Asia are important for the West. As I commented in answer to Taros's post, I think that an Empress could be a way for Japan to redefine their relationship with Asia. With the current political climate, I don't see politicians helping to smoothe the way but maybe an Empress would be a less antagonistic figurehead. It maybe a long time to wait for succession - but maybe not. But a constitutional change could happen earlier. I'm English but I'm no supporter of constitutional monarchy. However, I don't see Japan ditching theirs so at least I hope they can use it to better effect.

What makes you think an Empress is going to be any more or less antagonistic to Japan's neighbors in Asia? Are you saying that a woman is more likely to be warm and fuzzy or that any change would be a change for the better?

[kotatsuneko]

that sort of thing wouldnt be covered in the J press for obvious reasons, any well informed Japanese that doesnt stand up for the national anthem should be able to fill you in ...

[Taro Toporific]

Japan mulls adoption to avert possible royal heir crisis: report
Channel News Asia, Singapore - 23 Jan
TOKYO : Japan will consider allowing the country's royal family to adopt a male in a bid to avert a possible heir crisis in the world's oldest monarchy...more...

[gomichild]

9 in 10 Japanese happy to see empress on throne

What - are they waiting for the magic 100% consensus?

Put the girl on there already

[GomiGirl]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

[Mulboyne]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

I think it has been suggested that she might not ever be able to complete those tasks. Pure, unfounded speculation, mind you.

[omae mona]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

Well there go MY hopes for becoming Empress.

[gomichild]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

You don't need skills for Royalty - just the bloodline.

[Taro Toporific]

9 in 10 Japanese happy to see empress on throne
What - are they waiting for the magic 100% consensus?
Put the girl on there already

"I'm not quite dead yet"

[GomiGirl]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

You don't need skills for Royalty - just the bloodline.

Ah so that is where the term "peon" came from???

[gomichild]

If she can do the wave that's all that's required.

[FG Lurker]

All very premature.. Princess Aiko can not even tie her own shoelaces or wipe her own bum yet.

I think it has been suggested that she might not ever be able to complete those tasks. Pure, unfounded speculation, mind you.

Yes, Downs has been sugested. The images from around New Years don't show the typical Downs Syndrome-shaped face though. That doesn't rule it out, but it now seems a bit less likely to me.

[Mulboyne]

Reuters: Japanese Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito and their daughter Princess Aiko smile as they depart from their Togu Palace residence in Tokyo, February 14, 2005.

[Mulboyne]

CBC: Japan may let an empress reign: report
TOKYO - Japan is reportedly changing its succession laws to let three-year-old Princess Aiko become a reigning empress one day. Aiko is the only child of her father, Crown Prince Naruhito, and his wife, Crown Princess Masako. On Monday, government sources told Kyodo News that the palace is ready to accept proposed changes to the country's succession laws to let women take on the ceremonial post.