No, I'm not cool with historical airbrushing. Ishihara is just this side of a fascist, as far as I'm concerned. Remember, when in doubt, call on these guys....
Be Seeing You,
Chris
Posted on 10/29/2004 7:55:46 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
TOKYO (AP) - Japanese officials rushed on Friday to dismiss suggestions that the emperor overstepped his authority and meddled in government affairs by voicing his opposition to Tokyo schools' policy of compulsory patriotism.
Wading into the controversy over patriotism in schools, Emperor Akihito on Thursday said he hoped nobody was being forced to face the flag and sing the national anthem - both potent symbols of Japan's brutal 20th century invasion of Asia.
The comments caused a stir in Japan because the post-World War II constitution strictly limits the emperor to acting as a figurehead and bars him from policy-making.
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said Friday he thought Akihito wasn't trying to influence the government.
"It should be natural for him to say that. That's how I view it," Koizumi told reporters. "The comment shouldn't be viewed as political."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda stressed that the emperor's remarks were consistent with national government policy.
"We think the emperor made his remark with full understanding of his position as a symbol and this does not violate our constitution which stipulates the emperor has not any power over affairs of the state," Hosoda said. "We think this explanation poses no particular problem."
Since Japan's defeat in World War II, tacit taboos have prevented outward displays of patriotism. But a debate has been growing over whether children should be taught to be proud of their history and culture in schools.
Last year the Tokyo metropolitan government ordered teachers and students to sing the anthem at graduation. In March, the school board punished nearly 200 teachers for disobeying, and teachers sued. The case is pending.
At the royal family's annual autumn garden party Thursday, Tokyo school board member Kunio Yonegawa told the emperor he was trying to make all Japanese students stand for the flag raising and sing the anthem.
In unusually blunt language, Akihito replied: "It is desirable that it not be compulsory." Yonegawa quickly agreed, thanked the emperor and bowed.
It's unclear whether the emperor's views will influence officials or sway public opinion. Palace officials said Akihito was merely stating the obvious.
Even so, the remarks could help defuse anger in China, South Korea and other Asian countries where many still harbor bitter memories of Japanese invasions.
Although Japan's postwar constitution grants the royal family no official powers, the emperor has a central role in the debate over patriotism.
Akihito's father, Hirohito, was revered as a deity until Japan's surrender led him to relinquish his status as a god. He reigned when Japan invaded Asia in his name, and scholars continue to disagree over whether he was responsible for the Japanese army's wartime atrocities.
Even now, Akihito's status as a cultural icon gives his words considerable weight.
Some conservative lawmakers say Japanese children lack national pride and that schools should teach them to love their country. Lawmakers and politicians have called for changes to an education system that boasts nearly 100 percent literacy but is widely criticized as placing too much importance on competition, conformity and rote learning. Some schools have begun grading students' patriotism.
Ironic, imo, that America could use some of exactly what 'ails' Japanese education of its student population. No?
Sounds like the Socialist are a little behind in Japan -
Let's hope they never reach the point in Japan where they are in the US -
just my thoughts -
The very definition of totally useless.
An interesting example of a monarch being the source for preserving civil liberties against possibly over-zealous officials.
Spain's King more dramatically preserved the young Spanish democracy by denouncing the revolting army factions who attempted to stage a coup against the new constitutional system and return to more fascistic rule with the King as the head.
Seems to me that if you're going to pay to have a King, he ought to have some authority. They can even prove useful once in awhile, as a moderating force. I am not sure that the history of the French Republic, without a King, has been as placid and comfortable for the French as the history of the United Kingdom with their hereditary monarchs.
Sounds like one of those loosers here that oppose a mandatory Pledge of Allegiance.
Well that has to put the Japanese nationalists in a bind. They want to institute the compulsory patriotism but the emperor-god king says its a bad idea. What to do?
How is asking the kids in school to sing the national anthem any different then our schools asking our kids to cite the pledge of allegiance or sing our national anthemn?
I see it as no issue at all - I understand the Emperor's comments in regards to compulsory participation, but do not believe that this is the case in most situations in Japan or the US.
The authority to execute Cabinet Ministers, journalists, or actors who speak out of turn would be enough. ;)
Well, Japan has had more of a problem with nationalism getting out of hand than we have.
The role of the Emperor in Japanese politics, society and history is very, very weird, though. Hard to comprehend to a non-Japanese. I really don't understand it totally myself.
Ping from Big Daddy
Interesting concept. How is that taught/indoctrinated/manifested?
5.56mm
We need that same debate here. Of course, we'd have to replace a lot of our teachers. (Too many libs.)
All courtesy of Tokyo Governor "The Japan That Can Say NO" Shintaro Ishihara.
Before admiring Westerners of Japan, such as many of those right here on FR, get all excited and supportive of current Ishihara-type Japanese nationalist policies that they would eye as being great if instituted in the US, they should know an active component of the Patrioic Movement" in Japan in the schools is the near total denial or at least elimination as a topic of discussion of such inconvenient things as: Japanese Imperial Army atrocities in the Pacific, including Rape of Nanjing, beheading of US POWs, Bataan Death March, Unit 731 Human Experiments, and justification of the Imperal Naval and Army attack on Pearl Harbour.
Most Freepers out there cool with that?
Excellent post. I'd been going to make the same point but you've done so far more elegantly and concisely than I ever could!
Children are taught to recite pledges they don't understand.
No, I'm not cool with historical airbrushing. Ishihara is just this side of a fascist, as far as I'm concerned. Remember, when in doubt, call on these guys....
Be Seeing You,
Chris
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