Japanese editorial excerpts

Japan Policy & Politics, Dec 29, 2004

TOKYO, Dec. 28 Kyodo

Selected editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

FIXING IMPERIAL SYSTEM WILL REQUIRE WISDOM (The Daily Yomiuri as translated from the Yomiuri Shimbun)

The government has decided to establish an advisory council comprising intellectuals for deliberations on whether to grant female members of the imperial family the right to ascend the throne, a question currently of extreme importance to the imperial system.

The Imperial House Law also stipulates ''The imperial throne of Japan shall be succeeded to by male descendants in the male line of imperial ancestors.'' Women in the imperial family are banned from becoming female emperors, better known as empresses regnant.

Neither Crown Prince Naruhito nor Prince Akishino has a male child. If this situation continues, it could endanger the continuation of the imperial family. Crown Prince Naruhito once said Crown Princess Masako felt enormous pressure over the heir issue.

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi also has said he supports granting female members of the imperial family the right to ascend the throne.

In Japanese history, there have been eight empress regnants under 10 different names. Britain, the Netherlands and other constitutional monarchies in Europe grant female members of royal families the right to ascend the throne.

The system has long been criticized for discriminating against women. The government explains that away by saying the system, which recognizes the emperor as a symbol of the state, does not violate the principle of the equality of sexes guaranteed by the Constitution.

Even if female members of the imperial family are granted the right to ascend the throne, many other issues will have to be solved, such as where a female member should be placed in the succession line to the imperial throne and what status should be given to her husband. Another question is whether a female member of the imperial family should be allowed to create a new royal family after marriage.

The government's council must present plausible views on those issues. It must give serious consideration to the feelings of the general public. We also expect the council to ask the opinions of the imperial family, including the emperor, the empress and Crown Prince Naruhito.

History and tradition should be respected. But, at the same time, the imperial household system needs to be modified so that it can cope with changing times.

The wisdom of the Japanese people will be called for in reviewing the imperial household system, with all of its long history.

(Dec. 28)