It’s a family affair
Brothers often have a hard time getting along with each other as they grow older, and so two brothers having a spat about over how the family business should be run is no big news.
Unless, of course, one of the brothers is the future Emperor of Japan.
According to news reports, there is no sign that rift between Japan’s Crown Prince Naruhito and his younger brother Prince Akishino will be mending any time soon. The two royal siblings have been on bad terms since last year, when Naruhito publicly stated that his wife, Masako, was being deprived of her individuality since quitting her job at Japan’s Foreign Ministry to become his bride. Though such public complaining by a royal family member was unprecedented in Japan, Naruhito was understandably upset with the Imperial Household Agency (IHA), a backward institution that devotes itself to making life for Japan’s royals a living hell. The IHA was reportedly putting tremendous pressure on Naruhito and Masako to have another baby after their first child turned out to be a girl (Princess Aiko).
In response to Naruhito’s remarks, Prince Akishino went public with a statement critical of his elder brother, saying that Naruhito should have consulted with the Emperor over the matter instead of complaining to the press.
At a recent meeting with the press, Prince Akishino was at it again, telling the press that he seldom talks to his brother anymore.
“Regarding communication with the crown prince, we are not visiting the crown prince’s household actively from our side . . . since the crown princess is sometimes feeling good and sometimes not,” Akishino said.
“We will come over whenever they call us,” he told a news conference with his wife Kiko ahead of his 40th birthday Wednesday.
I think what is often not reported in the western press is that Crown Princess Masako herself is the cause of much of this squabbling. It’s noted that when she complains about not being able to travel abroad, she really means not being able to travel to Europe. The friction between her and the IHA is primarily due to her snobbish attitude regarding her college pedigree relative to those who work at the IHA. However, it’s the IHA for the most part that keeps alive a lot of the obscure traditions that make the Japanese Imperial family unique. While it seems a relic (and really, aren’t all royal families?), the pomp and circumstance of the traditional culture are what taxpayers are paying the IHA to preserve. One tradition no one in Japan expect Masako to continue: the raising of silkworms (traditionally done by the Empress). It seems she’d rather eschew Imperial tradition in favor being able to shop in Paris.
December 3rd, 2005 at 3:25 amDoes Akishino by chance have a son that could become emperor if female succession is blocked?
December 3rd, 2005 at 10:34 amI think what is often not reported in the western press is that Crown Princess Masako herself is the cause of much of this squabbling. It’s noted that when she complains about not being able to travel abroad, she really means not being able to travel to Europe.
What’s your point? She’s not able to go where she wants to go.
The friction between her and the IHA is primarily due to her snobbish attitude regarding her college pedigree relative to those who work at the IHA.
Well shame on that woman for wanting to be treated like the intelligent, educated person that she is. I guess that’s hard for some dinosaurs in Japan to accept.
However, it’s the IHA for the most part that keeps alive a lot of the obscure traditions that make the Japanese Imperial family unique.
Stripping people’s freedom to travel is an obscure tradition in Japan?
While it seems a relic (and really, aren’t all royal families?), the pomp and circumstance of the traditional culture are what taxpayers are paying the IHA to preserve.
One could argue they’re not doing their job giving the taxpaying public what they want if they’re keeping a female heir from becoming emperor.
One tradition no one in Japan expect Masako to continue: the raising of silkworms (traditionally done by the Empress).
Well that’s worth not being able to go to France.
December 3rd, 2005 at 2:46 pmMasako’s schooling was paid for by the Chisso company, which destoyed the lives of thousands of Japanese when it poisoned the water in Minimata. What’s one more dead farmer if Masako can go to Harvard and buy vulgar French handbags? Yay, Masako!
December 3rd, 2005 at 7:51 pmJohnny:
And if her schooling were paid for by GM or Exxon, it would be OK? The Minamata problem happened before she was born. Frankly, I doubt if you could find Minamata on a map, as you are clearly ignorant about it.
“What’s one more dead farmer..”
Try dead fisherman next time, as they were the primary victims. Minamata is not known for its farms.
And what have you done for the people of Minamata? I suggest you find it on a map, difficult as it may be, and the pay a visit. I am sure they will appreciate your tourist yen, as long as you are relatively quiet.
Further, what do French handbags have to do with anything???
December 3rd, 2005 at 8:36 pmSilbing rivalry Japanese style: first the sumo brothers, Wako and Tako,and now these two Korean-Japanese princes. I hope the Western Press reports on this interesting all in the family sibling rivalry. Good post!
December 4th, 2005 at 10:41 pm[...] ives birth to a boy, it would change the focus of the succession debate and possibly cause the rift that exists between the two imperial brothers to worsen. The Crown Prince and his wife, P [...]
February 7th, 2006 at 6:03 pm