Japanese emperor's comments cause stir

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 10/29/04 | Kenji Hall - AP

[NormsRevenge]

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?

[Pastnowfuturealpha]

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 -

[Hank Rearden]

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.

The very definition of totally useless.

[Vicomte13]

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.

[Doe Eyes]

meddled in government affairs by voicing his opposition to Tokyo schools' policy of compulsory patriotism.

Sounds like one of those loosers here that oppose a mandatory Pledge of Allegiance.

[Arkinsaw]

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?

[Chummy]

"Sounds like the Socialist are a little behind...."

The Socialists are little behinds wherever they may be.

[reed13k]

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.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Seems to me that if you're going to pay to have a King, he ought to have some authority.

The authority to execute Cabinet Ministers, journalists, or actors who speak out of turn would be enough. ;)

[Strategerist]

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.

[Arkinsaw]

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?

We don't have a history of worshipping our President as a god. We don't have a history of conducting aggressive warfare against numerous nations and engaging in genocide against the neighbors. Japanese militarism, nationalism, and patriotism led to this. Ours hasn't led to anything of the sort.

All nationalistic symbology is not created equal.

[night reader]

Ping from Big Daddy

[reed13k]

Agreed they had an issue with nationalism in the past. Lots of nations had issues in the past - we can't judge them (or ourselves) today based on a history that is generations past. Their issue 60+ years ago was more related to the military centered regime then it was due to the Emperor's actions by the way. The Emperor, with exception of a small period in the late 1800's has had little say in actual policy for hundreds of years. I don't judge my country on our policy of 150 years past, nor do I judge the Japanese for their policies 60 years ago. People can only try to improve and try not to make the same mistakes. Does everyone need to remain vigilante - absolutely - but give me a break. I think they have come a hell of a long way in the last 60 years.

My wife is Japanese, and while she and her family respect the emperor's family, I have seen a greater level of submission toward British royalty than I have seen on the Japanese side. Hell, I've seen some Americans bow down to pathetic hollywoodites with more reverence than I have seen the Japanese give toward their emperor.


So, again I ask the question - why would a simple thing such as singing the national anthem in a classroom be any different then the exact same act that we do here. They are not requiring a swearing of allegiance - they are singing their national anthem.

The issue under discussion is a comment by the Emperor against a mandatory requirement for students to sing the anthem. The uproar is due to the perception by some that he was making a policy statement - which he was not - he was merely stating his opinion on the subject.

I believe that people and society's change over time - don't you believe the same thing can happen?

[M Kehoe]

Tokyo schools' policy of compulsory patriotism.

Interesting concept. How is that taught/indoctrinated/manifested?

5.56mm

[roadcat]

But a debate has been growing over whether children should be taught to be proud of their history and culture in schools.

We need that same debate here. Of course, we'd have to replace a lot of our teachers. (Too many libs.)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Textbooks. Curriculum. Movies. Speakers. Flag in the corner to be respected, and Kimigayo sung in the morning.

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?

[Androcles]

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!

[Doe Eyes]

Interesting concept. How is that taught/indoctrinated/manifested?

Children are taught to recite pledges they don't understand.

[section9]

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