Emperor Akihito and his abdication

[Muhler]

Thanks Prisma for keeping us updated on the preparations.

And long live red tape!

The court and civil service have sure managed to make a very big deal out of this!
I see countless meetings, reports, drafts, suggestions and estimations passing countless desks and countless offices these months!
It's akin to the wonderful series Yes, Minister - where they had to employ tens of thousands of new civil servants in order to administrate the slimming down of the bureaucracy in the Ministry of Administration.

I believe it has happened once or twice before in Japanese history that a new emperor ascended the throne...
So why not use the last enthronement as a blueprint for this one? The only difference this time is that the old emperor is still alive when this goes on.
Unless of course he ruins the whole thing by dying before the whole show starts! You'd forgive him for doing just that, because it sure has taken time to set up this abdication!

And when you compare this to countries like Belgium, Spain and the Vatican, where abdications are far from normal, yet took place without too much fuss and pretty quickly, then this becomes almost comical.

 

[Kitty1224]

So will the current emperor once he abdicates recluse and never to be seen again?

 

[Prisma]

Toward a New Era: Tug of war over timing of new era name release continues - The Mainichi

[...]

On one side stand a group of people including Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiro Sugita, 77, who thinks the era name should be announced at least one month in advance of the succession on May 1, 2019. Their opponents are a conservative group of politicians and their supporters linked to the Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference) organization, including Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Seiichi Eto, 71. They think that the announcement must be made by the new emperor -- after his enthronement.

[...]

This confrontation is over fundamental recognition about to which the era belongs -- the people or the emperor, and no immediate end to the faceoff is in sight.

As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stood on the stairs of his office for a photo session with his newly chosen state and parliamentary vice ministers on the afternoon of Oct. 4, Eto visited the office of Sugita, Abe's top bureaucratic aide.

[...]

In his meeting with Sugita, Eto demanded the new era name be announced after the new emperor takes the throne on May 1.

"Unless the announcement is made after the succession, it will affect the authority of His Majesty," argued Eto, according to people familiar with the conversation. "It is against the system of 'one reign, one era.' Never once in our history was the announcement made prior to the ascension."

Sugita replied that the announcement should be made beforehand with public convenience in mind. "It should be one month in advance, considering the time needed for computer system adjustments," he added. Neither of them budged from their positions.

[...]

Their discussion continued for over an hour. In the end, no decision was made on the announcement date, and now we are a mere six months away from the Imperial succession. [...]

Toward a New Era: Computer system managers worry about confusion over changeover - The Mainichi

[...] In the case of calendars, their printing is usually finished by the spring of the previous year. Many publishers have decided to skip the era designation in their 2019 calendars to avoid confusion.

One calendar publisher decided to use a generic era name in its calendar for 2019. In the calendar featuring the members of the Imperial Household published by the Kikuyo Court Culture Institute, the 31st year of the Heisei Era continues until April, when Emperor Akihito abdicates, and May, when Crown Prince Naruhito is set to become the new Emperor, is printed as the first month of a "New Era."

Business organizers are printed every year using calendar information as of the end of February the previous year. [...] "It is unfortunate that we cannot release an organizer for the first year of the new era with the era name in it."

Under the current circumstances, organizers with the new era name for its second year may not make the deadline. Many people in the industry are saying, "The earlier the better" about the timing of the new era name release.

Companies that manage computer systems for government agencies also worry about confusion over the era name change that's only six months away.

[...]

Anticipating chaos, some local governments have gone ahead on their own and stopped using the era system, at least partially. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government replaced the era system with the Western calendar for some of qualification certificates it issues. The Osaka Prefectural Government has also instructed its officials to use western dates in documents related to long-term projects. Many central government offices had used the era system for dates on their computer systems, but now they are transitioning to typing in Western dates and output era dates.

[...]

Toward a New Era: Conservative group wants to repeat past naming success - The Mainichi

The Nippon Kaigi (Japan Conference) conservative group insists that the announcement of new era name along with the planned Imperial succession on May 1. 2019, must be after the enthronement of the new emperor. But why do these members stick with this position against the government's plan for an advance announcement?

[...]

Let's fast rewind back to March 1975, when liberal or leftist political forces were still strong in Japan. One Diet testimony pushed the conservatives into a crisis mode, triggering a deep fear that the Imperial era name system would vanish.

Reijiro Tsunoda, then head of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau's First Department, said at a House of Representatives Budget Committee session: "The era name of Showa is in use as a custom. If something happens to His Majesty, Showa will vanish at that instant. Then a period of void will begin."

[...]

"We thought that if the era name was gone, so was the posthumous name of the Emperor, who is at the center of Japan," recalled Masakuni Murakami, 86, former leader of ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) legislators in the House of Councillors of the national Diet.

However, the confrontations between the liberals and the conservatives were more intense back then in Japan's political arena. Few people in Tokyo's Nagatacho, Japan's political nerve center, showed interest in the era name issue, according to Murakami, who spearheaded a successful national movement of conservative groups to introduce a law to support the era name system.

Facing such a crisis, a conservative activist devised a strategy to win over Nagatacho. [...]

The grassroots, three-stage project was formed like this: On the initial state, members formed a "caravan" visiting many locations nationwide to establish local chapters. They then urged their local assemblies to seek the introduction of an era name law. In the final stage, they organized a group of national lawmakers to press the central government to realize the legalization.

[...]

Within less than a year, they succeeded to get petitions passed by many local assemblies including those for 46 of the nation's 47 prefectures. Backed by this "public opinion," the activists pressed the government to listen to them.

According to press reports around that time, then Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda met with Kazuto Ishida, former Supreme Court chief justice and the head of the national group seeking the establishment of the era name law, on Aug. 17, 1978. Fukuda then commented, "I am surprised to know that so many local assemblies passed resolutions" supporting legalization.

[...] In June 1979, the Era Name Act became a reality.

Nihon wo Mamoru-kai became the Nippon Kaigo in 1997, succeeding the movement know-how accumulated by its predecessor. On the issue of constitutional revisions that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking, the conference has asked local assemblies to pass resolutions demanding the legal change in a bid to support the premier.

[...] the conservative camp had to give up its position on the abdication issue as a wide variety of people supported the Emperor stepping down. Therefore, the timing of an era announcement is an issue critical to the conservatives. [...]

Japan mulls holding of celebration event next fall for new emperor | The Japan Times

Lawmakers and business leaders plan to hold an event next fall to celebrate the ascension of the new emperor, political sources said Saturday.

[...]

The celebration to be organized by political and business circles will be held separately after the enthronement ceremony, according to the sources.

A similar celebratory event was held on Nov. 17, 1990, five days after Emperor Akihito’s enthronement ceremony.

On that day, tens of thousands of people holding paper lanterns and national flags took to the streets of Tokyo, and the Emperor and Empress Michiko greeted an estimated 47,000 people who gathered in front of the Imperial Palace, raising their lanterns.

[...]

 

[Muhler]

Astonishing!

Your updates on the trivialities of this abdication are remarkable, Prisma.
I envision a number of people at these meetings discussing in what way to split hairs, before even beginning to actually argue about the issues!
Should the Emperor have the untimely temerity to die a few days before the abdication then I predict a large number of collective break-downs!

I'll ask a completely wild question here: Has anyone thought about inquiring about the opinion and wishes of the Emperor and the Crown Prince?
That could solve a hand full of these stalemates.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Toward a New Era: Tug of war over timing of new era name release continues - The Mainichi


Toward a New Era: Computer system managers worry about confusion over changeover - The Mainichi


Toward a New Era: Conservative group wants to repeat past naming success - The Mainichi

According to the Mainichi articles, the traditionalists supporting the delay are willing to disrupt the operations of businesses and services and the daily lives of millions of residents, just to ensure that the emperor's "authority" and the traditionalists' influence on government policy are evident to the public?

I hope the Mainichi is inaccurate and that those traditionalists are not driven by such self-serving considerations.

 

[Prisma]

Astonishing!

Your updates on the trivialities of this abdication are remarkable, Prisma.
I envision a number of people at these meetings discussing in what way to split hairs, before even beginning to actually argue about the issues!
Should the Emperor have the untimely temerity to die a few days before the abdication then I predict a large number of collective break-downs!

I'll ask a completely wild question here: Has anyone thought about inquiring about the opinion and wishes of the Emperor and the Crown Prince?
That could solve a hand full of these stalemates.

You're welcome. Yes, this process is certainly...uh, something.
I wish someone would consult the Emperor or Crown Prince. Unlikely as the government would probably view their input as getting political and the Imperial family has to stay out of politics...blah blah blah

According to the Mainichi articles, the traditionalists supporting the delay are willing to disrupt the operations of businesses and services and the daily lives of millions of residents, just to ensure that the emperor's "authority" and the traditionalists' influence on government policy are evident to the public?

I hope the Mainichi is inaccurate and that those traditionalists are not driven by such self-serving considerations.

It appears so. If the government (and IHA) truly considered "avoiding confusion in people's lives" the top priority, the abdication would be sooner and new era started on January 1st. I think New Year's greetings can be skipped for a year.

The traditionalists may end up winning the battle but losing the war. What if local governments and other institutions keep the Western calendar instead of going back to the era name?

 

[Prisma]

Citizens to file suit against new emperor's enthronement rites - The Mainichi

At least 120 people are planning to file a lawsuit to stop the Japanese government from using taxpayers' money for rituals to mark the enthronement of a new emperor next year, members said Thursday.

The citizens, including members of Christian groups and Buddhist monks, aim to file the suit with the Tokyo District Court in early December, claiming that funding what they deem as religious ceremonies out of public coffers violates the constitutional principle of separation of religion and state.

[...]

Similar suits had been filed against the state when the now 84-year-old emperor was enthroned in November 1990 [...]

While all suits filed over the previous enthronement rites were rejected by courts, the Osaka High Court's ruling in March 1995 said it cannot deny the suspicion that they violate the constitutional principle of separation of religion and state.

Koichi Yokota, a constitution expert and honorary professor at Kyushu University, said, "The enthronement ceremony itself has numerous problems from the standpoint of the constitutional principle of separation of religion and state and sovereignty of the people," citing lack of sufficient constitutional reviews on the pre-war era rituals.

[...]

In contrast, Isao Tokoro, professor emeritus at Kyoto Sangyo University specializing in the history of the formation of Japanese laws, said how to fund the ceremonies was decided after thorough debate held upon the previous occasion and they are constitutional.

"The Constitution itself states the heredity of the imperial throne, and I believe Japan should hold a ceremony and ritual for passing down that special status and role in a regal manner," he said.

Gov't OKs bill to make 10-day holiday around 2019 imperial succession - The Mainichi

The Japanese Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill to assign one-off holidays related to the imperial succession next year, creating a 10-day Golden Week holiday period from late April.

[...]

The rare 10-day vacation period will begin on April 27, which falls on a Saturday.

The bill will create another holiday on Oct. 22, the day of a major enthronement ceremony.

[...]

 

[M. Payton]

I wonder if any members of other royal families around the world will at anytime be invited to the enthronement of the crown prince? Or will be be viewed in the world for all of us to see.....seems most interesting and wonder if the crown princess plays a role or does she automatically become an empress without any ceremony.

I find this very interesting as this to me seems like a secret affair in some parts.

 

[Prisma]

Emperor Akihito's enthronement in 1990 was televised. Royalty, heads of state, diplomats, etc. were invited. I certainly expect Naruhito's enthronement to be streamed live. I believe the consort automatically becomes empress without additional ceremony.

1990 enthronement with English commentary (although it overlaps with Japanese commentary):

 

[M. Payton]

Thank you Prisma for answering my questions! This is an interesting country to me for at times it seems still set back in the ages of dawn in the way they do things or view life. The lack of understanding that a woman can be Empress without a man is one of them....as their history has shown there are women who have been Empresses and ruled on their own.

 

[Muhler]

Citizens to file suit against new emperor's enthronement rites - The Mainichi

Gov't OKs bill to make 10-day holiday around 2019 imperial succession - The Mainichi

Nothing serious IMO.

Just the usual attention-seekers. If it wasn't the enthronement it would be something else.

 

[Prisma]

The government is planning to purchase a Japanese car for the enthronement parade. Toyota is strongly seen as the supplier. However, the government will own the car this time, not the IHA, and it will be used for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Sources: Asahi, Jiji

Awee, I wanted a carriage...

ETA: English article and video

Next Emperor's ride in accession parade will be Japanese | The Japan Times

New domestic vehicle for Emperor's accession ceremony | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

 

[Muhler]

Well, at least they won't have to walk...

 

[Ista]

The government is planning to purchase a Japanese car for the enthronement parade. Toyota is strongly seen as the supplier. However, the government will own the car this time, not the IHA, and it will be used for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Sources: Asahi, Jiji

Awee, I wanted a carriage...

The carriages are always nice, but this actually makes a lot of sense--and sends a powerful message as opposed to say, the Rolls: the Japanese Imperial family don't need to import luxury cars from foreign countries, Japan has its own.

 

[Prisma]

True. I wished for the carriage because Japan hasn't had a royal parade with horse-drawn carriages in a long time. At least the new vehicle will be utilized more than the Rolls.

Japan to simplify banquets to celebrate new emperor's ascension - The Mainichi

[…]

The move is aimed at reducing the workload on Crown Prince Naruhito [...] as well as other members of the imperial family taking part in the celebrations.

The government committee on the ceremonies, led by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, agreed to invite 2,600 guests for a total of four banquets to be held in late October 2019 to celebrate the crown prince's ascension. Two of the four banquets will be buffet-style.

[…]

The panel also decided to limit the number of guests taking part in the main enthronement ceremony on Oct. 22, 2019 to around 2,500, the same as last time, while inviting about 900 foreign guests for a dinner to be hosted by the prime minister and his wife.

The banquets are scheduled for October 22, 25, 29, and 31st. [Asahi]

Emperor Akihito's 1990 enthronement had 7 banquets over 4 consecutive days (starting on November 12) with some 2900 of the 3400 invited guests attending. [Jiji]

ETA: Enthronement events for new emperor to be pared back: The Asahi Shimbun

[...] The government initially planned to reduce the number of invitations to both events, but later learned that guests are expected from 195 countries Japan has diplomatic relations, 30 more than the previous ceremony.

It also “could not ignore local government heads’ hoping to participate in the ceremony,” according to a senior official of the prime minister's office.

The government thus abandoned its plan to reduce the number of guests to the enthronement ceremony, but, in principle, will have guests not be joined by their spouses except in cases of diplomatic protocol. [...]

 

[Prisma]

The government will hold 77 events celebrating Emperor Akihito's 30 year reign. 16 ministries and agencies, including the Cabinet Office, will carry out the celebrations from next January to April. These include:
- a special exhibition for Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko's 60th wedding anniversary at the IHA's Museum of the Imperial Collections
- tea ceremony at the Imperial Palace in February
- Kyoto Imperial Palace will also host tea ceremonies
- books and a DVD are planned
- in cooperation with the IHA, the Tokyo National Museum will have a 30-year commemorative exhibition from March to April

Source: Jiji

Kyodo News reports tentative plans for the division of Crown Prince Naruhito's local public service after his ascension. Some will be shared between Prince Akishino and Princess Nobuko. The remaining duties, Crown Prince Naruhito will continue as emperor.

ETA: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will visit Emperor Jimmu's tomb in Nara Prefecture in March; they will visit Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture and Emperor Showa's mausoleum in Tokyo in April before the abdication.

About 700 guests will attend the Daijōsai "Great Thanksgiving Festival" on November 14-15, reduced from 936 in 1990.

The banquets after Daijōsai will held on November 16 and 18.

Source: Jiji

ETA: Emperor, Empress to visit Ise in April - The Japan News

 

[Prisma]

The IHA changed their mind about hosting a garden party after enthronement. They've decided to cancel it because 1) to reduce the number of ceremonies 2) enthronement ceremony and banquet on October 22 and the Prime Minister's dinner are enough to welcome foreign guests.
Source: Jiji

Early reassignments of CP Naruhito's activities: Prince Akishino will likely take over the National High School (Inter-high) Sports Festival and Princess Nobuko will attend the National Farmers Summit.
Source: Sankei

 

[Muhler]

Perhaps not a bad idea, if the then ex-emperor is also expected to take part.
All these official "farewell-events" may end up killing him!

 

[Prisma]

Retired Emperor Akihito would not attend the garden party or any garden parties after abdication (at least that's the current plan).

I hope he and Empress Michiko do not have to attend ALL 77 government sponsored celebrations. Geez, that sounds exhausting.

 

[Prisma]

Gov't may unofficially announce new era name before Crown Prince accedes to throne - The Mainichi

[...] The government intends to hold a meeting of an expert panel that April to decide a new era name before the government announces it. The Cabinet will approve an ordinance to change the era name on May 1. The new emperor will sign the ordinance as part of his official duties.

[...]

The government is considering announcing the new era name either after the second round of nationwide local elections on April 21, or around a week before the Crown Prince's enthronement. However, an individual linked to the Cabinet Secretariat was skeptical of the timing, saying, "One week or 10 days is too short to adjust computer systems."

On the other hand, conservatives are concerned that if there is a long gap between the unofficial decision on the new era name and its approval by the Cabinet, there could be opposition to the name. [...]

The government instructed ministries and agencies this past May to make preparations to adjust their computer systems on the assumption that the new era name will be announced a month before the new emperor's enthronement. At the time, the government explained that it would take about a month to adjust computer systems in both the public and private sectors.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Prince Akishino questions rite funding - NHK NEWSLINE - News - NHK WORLD

[...] Prince Akishino suggested the event should be financed from the budget for the Imperial family. But it's relatively small, at about 2.8 million dollars for this fiscal year. So the rite would have to be scaled back in a major way.

[...]

Prince Akishino added that the Daijosai ritual should definitely be held, but it should be done within the Imperial family's means, as it is an Imperial family event. He said that's how the ritual should be performed.

[...]

Tokyo Metropolitan University Professor Sota Kimura, an expert on Japan's constitution, said he understands Prince Akishino's concern about the funding of the ritual.

[...] Kimura also said he does not think Prince Akishino's remarks are overtly political, but he was shocked that the prince apparently felt he had to make them.

Another legal scholar, Professor Hidetsugu Yagi of Reitaku University, said he cannot understand the prince's concern.

Yagi said the ritual has a religious character, but it is an important rite for the Imperial succession. He said the succession is stipulated in the constitution. He stressed that the ritual is not a personal event for the Imperial family.

Yagi also said the method of funding the ritual has been fully debated and there is no problem using state funds for this purpose.

He said he thinks the prince's remarks to the public could be taken as political and this should not be ignored. [...]

Official believes Prince rebuked Household Agency - News - NHK WORLD - English

[...] The agency's vice grand steward, Yasuhiko Nishimura, told reporters on Monday that he does not believe the prince opposes the government's decision. He said he thinks the prince rebuked the agency for failing to give him a convincing answer.

Nishimura said the agency will try to gain the understanding of Imperial Family members, even if there are differences of opinion.

Prince's right to free speech a hot topic in Japan | The Japan Times

[...] The prince has “crossed the line,” an official of the agency said. Another criticized the prince’s remark, saying, “It is hard to understand why (the prince) stuck his nose into the matter of the Crown Prince, who will engage in the rite.”

Emperor Akihito, his first son Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino typically give news conferences ahead of their birthdays.

But only Prince Akishino speaks to reporters without prepared text on hand as a matter of practice, which means his aides and other agency bureaucrats have few opportunities to know in advance what he will say in public.

[...]

An official involved in the agency said, “It seems that the prince believes it is a good thing that people know there are differences in the Imperial family.”

[...]

“The Constitution bans the emperor from involvement in government but does not mention royal family members apart from the emperor,” Yokota said in support of Prince Akishino’s right to free speech.

Isao Tokoro, another constitutional expert who serves as professor emeritus at Kyoto Sangyo University, urged Prince Akishino to be more careful about his remarks.

[...]

Nonfiction writer Masayasu Hosaka, who has written many books on modern Japanese history, said, “I regarded the prince’s remark as a strong message from the Imperial family that they want people to think seriously about the principle of separation of state and religion.”

Japan's Prince Akishino Speaks for the First Time About the Postponement of Princess Mako's Nuptials | JAPAN Forward

[...] In response to Prince Akishino’s remarks, Grand Steward Yamamoto explained that financing methods for the rites had been decided by the government. He added that the Prince’s comments “should be taken as reiteration of his personal, long-cherished opinion and his view should never be interpreted to have been intended to make a political statement.”

Yamamoto added that the Emperor had called on him to “consult with the Crown Prince” about rituals relating to his enthronement, noting, “We have been pushing ahead with [the preparation for the rituals] by obtaining understanding [from the Crown Prince].” [...]

 

[Muhler]

Wow! That's macro-interpretations of a fairly simply statement!

Perhaps the Imperial Family simply wish to keep it simple, so that there won't be endless meetings and discussions about funding. I.e. a: "We pay! Now, get a move on!"

 

[Prisma]

Maybe Prince Akishino would feel better if the Imperial budget was increased to cover the Daijosai just for 2019.

I understand the enthronement needs to keep up with the times. Replicating all of Emperor Akihito's festivities would be excessive but I don't want Naruhito to get a bare-bones enthronement or Daijosai. Japanese tweets have suggested the Daijosai structure could be reduced such as not constructing the corridors and small pavilions.

Japanese tweets of Emperor Akihito's Daijosai structure in 1990
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtoTL-VV4AA0KaO.jpg
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Traditional fabric woven for Emperor Akihito's Daijosai from Mima, Tokushima Prefecture.
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2017/12/09/20171209k0000m040085000p/9.jpg

Paintings of Empero Taisho's Daijosai
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtoWOJYV4AAYDnY.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtoWQM3V4AAjLqL.jpg

ETA: Schematic for Emperor Showa's (Hirohito) Daijosai and photos
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DtofQirUUAIZDqc.jpg
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Lower house OKs bill creating 10-day holiday around imperial succession - The Mainichi

[...] Prior to the bill's passage through the House of Representatives, a lower house panel adopted a resolution urging the government to make sure people's daily lives will not be seriously impacted due to the possible closure of banks, public offices and hospitals.

The House of Councillors is expected to pass the bill during the ongoing extraordinary Diet session through Monday next week.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Japan may not announce new era name until April 11: sources | The Japan Times

The government may hold off on announcing the name of the country’s new era until April 11 or later [...]

The government has proceeded with preparations for the change of the gengō (era name) [...] on the assumption that it would be announced around a month before Crown Prince Naruhito accedes the throne.

The idea of pushing back the announcement of the new era name by around 10 days has been considered as a cross-party group of lawmakers, including conservatives in Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, look to leave the first part of the month open for a festival commemorating the 30th anniversary of the enthronement of Emperor Akihito on April 10, the sources said.

[...]

The government concluded that pushing back the timing of the announcement by around 10 days would not negatively impact the preparation by government agencies, according to the sources.

Abe is expected to make a final judgment as to when to announce the new era name by the end of the year, the sources added.

[...]

Long Golden Week may leave hospitals, hourly earners short: The Asahi Shimbun

While many people may already be dreaming of where to travel during next year's 10-day Golden Week, there are concerns that the extra-long holidays could cause major delays at medical facilities and lost income for some wage earners.

In anticipation of such problems, including transportation havoc, lack of accommodations and extended working hours for holiday-period workers, public and private entities are taking various measures.

[...]

Teaming up with the health ministry and medical associations across the country, the All Japan Hospital Association decided to consider concrete measures to address possible strain on medical facilities, manpower shortages and medicine shortages during the holiday period.

[...]

As one-third of a one-month period will be days off, there are also concerns over lost income for hourly and day wage earners.

"The law is being decided based on the circumstances of regular workers who receive monthly wages," said Shuichiro Sekine, secretary-general of Haken Union, a labor union that allows non-regular workers to become members. “A drop in their income by a third is a matter of life or death and measures to make up for the lost income are essential."

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Japan Post will issue commemorative stamps for Emperor Akihito's 30-year reign. One set features crane-turtle and chrysanthemum patterns based on the emperor's childhood kimonos. Another features photos of Their Majesties. Stamps will be available starting February 22, 2019.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1073739698336452608

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In effort to curb costs, Imperial agency looks to scale down some facilities for Daijosai ceremony | The Japan Times

[...] Omi no Akusha facilities will be set up for use by male members of the Imperial family during Daijosai [...]

The plan to reduce the size of the facilities reflects a fall in the number of male Imperial family members, as well as efforts to cut the costs of holding the ceremony, according to the sources.

[...]

For the 1990 ceremony, the Daijokyu complex of about 30 structures, including Yukiden and Sukiden, was built within a 100-meter square area in the East Garden of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

These temporary structures will also be set up for the next ceremony, scheduled for Nov. 14 and 15 next year, [...] The Omi no Akusha facilities will be installed south of Yukiden and Sukiden at a smaller scale than for the previous ceremony, the sources said.

Only two male Imperial Family members — [Prince Akishino and Prince Hitachi] — are slated to attend the forthcoming ceremony, down from six for the previous Daijosai.

The number of guests for the 2019 ceremony is set to be reduced by about 200 to some 700.

Costs related to the previous event totaled some ¥2.25 billion. For the 2019 event, the agency is eager to reduce expenses in the face of rising prices for building materials and labor.

The Daijokyu structures will be disassembled after the ceremony. Plans to re-use building materials for the facilities are being examined, the sources said, noting that one idea is to donate them to national parks.

[...]

Mixed reviews over 10-day 'Golden Week' holiday around 2019 imperial succession - The Mainichi

[...] Major travel agency JTB Corp. has started accepting reservations for travel abroad during the 2019 Golden Week holiday period. Bookings for overseas tours are three times higher than an average year, and those for European destinations are five times more than the average. [...]

Nippon Travel Agency Co., forecasting a growing demand for travel to Europe during that period, started to offer 1.5 times more guided package tours to the region than the previous year, starting June this year. [...]

Meanwhile, some companies are taking a more cautious view. While Sanrio Entertainment Co., which operates the "Sanrio Puroland" theme park in the city of Tama, Tokyo, expects a 5 to 8 percent increase in visitors during the Golden Week next year compared to the same period in 2018, a public relations official said, "There are apparently many people who wish to go abroad during the extended holiday period. So, we're not sure what's actually going to happen then."

[...]

For working mothers, there are also mixed feelings about the long holiday.

"My children will have holidays from school and day care during the extended break. It's important for me to spend time with my children, but I become depressed when thinking about making three meals a day for 10 days," said a 30-year-old mother, a resident of Yokohama's Minami Ward, Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo. The homemaker has a 7-year-old son at elementary school and a 4-year-old daughter in day care.

[...]

The long break will be a tough time for people who work by hour or day. A female employee in her 50s, a resident of the city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo, works in the manufacturing industry. "My income will be decreased by one-third because of the break, but my living expenses, including house rent, will remain unchanged," she said.

[...]

"I know there's no use saying this, but why is there an extended holiday period," she lamented.

Tatsuya Sekiguchi, chief of the Japan Community Union Federation for non-regular and other workers, pointed out, "There are irrational pay gaps between regular and non-regular workers because of public holidays. It is necessary to take countermeasures to provide bigger bonuses and other revenue to fill the gap."

 

[Muhler]

- I get depressed thinking about having to make three meals a day for my children for ten days, but is sure is important to be with my children! -

That mother must live a blessed life, if that's a big issue. ?

Is it a part of Japanese national character to make a lump in the lawn resemble a pyramid, I wonder!

 

[Ista]

- I get depressed thinking about having to make three meals a day for my children for ten days, but is sure is important to be with my children! -

That mother must live a blessed life, if that's a big issue. ?

Is it a part of Japanese national character to make a lump in the lawn resemble a pyramid, I wonder!

I know you were joking, but no, I don't think these women are making a mountain out of a molehill. The standards for "good mothering" in Japan are culturally very different. Whereas I'd probably either make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or hand my kids the jar of peanut butter and tell them to do it themselves (in fact, this is what I did from when they were very young) a Japanese mother is expected to actually make those three full, balanced meals, and it can be burdensome.

In fact, when you talk to a lot of modern Japanese women, feeling burdened seems to be a repeating theme. There are some interesting articles out there about this.

Prisma, thank you so much for posting all of these fascinating details about the upcoming abdication and enthronement. Like you, I'm split between understanding the need to control costs, and the feeling that Naruhito is getting the short end of the stick.

 

[Muhler]

Thanks, Ista.

No, I wasn't kidding.
Back in the 80s women being very burdened domestically was a big issue in Japan. (Not to mention having to give up potentially good careers, as well as taking care of older relatives, including an often tyrannical mother-in-law, whom they, according to social conventions, couldn't stand up to.(*))
I thought that had changed for the better.

(*) Older relatives being bullied by daughters-in-laws, to such a degree that they were only home when they should eat and sleep, was another side of the coin.
The husbands never interfered, the household and upbringing of the children was not his responsibility and he worked extremely long hours anyway.

 

[Ista]

Thanks, Ista.

No, I wasn't kidding.
Back in the 80s women being very burdened domestically was a big issue in Japan. (Not to mention having to give up potentially good careers, as well as taking care of older relatives, including an often tyrannical mother-in-law, whom they, according to social conventions, couldn't stand up to.(*))
I thought that had changed for the better.

(*) Older relatives being bullied by daughters-in-laws, to such a degree that they were only home when they should eat and sleep, was another side of the coin.
The husbands never interfered, the household and upbringing of the children was not his responsibility and he worked extremely long hours anyway.

I'm so sorry, I thought the laughing emoji meant you were joking! I apologize! From my current reading, the dynamics you describe still operate to a certain extent, although not to the same degree perhaps as in the 80's. I think I've mentioned this on previous threads, but my DH and I had some very interesting conversations last year while we were in Japan with women who described their feelings about their lives and the obligations they undertook when they got married. One of the things they described was the recent phenomenon of women in their 50's who divorce their husbands because once their children are grown and out of the house, they are tired and want to live a less burdened life, and I think that ties in with what the woman in Prisma's article is talking about. If even extending Golden Week for a few extra days for the enthronement seems more stressful than fun, that's noteworthy to me.

 

[Prisma]

My mother never enjoyed cooking so she always found it an extra burden during winter and summer holidays. In addition, she was a vegetarian but had to cook meat dishes for rest of us.

I watched a documentary on school lunches in Japan some weeks ago. Very nutritious and instilled cooperation (the kids served, cleaned up, etc.). I think school lunches stop after primary school. The bento box is another stress. Not only must the food be nutritious, lunch has to look cute/pretty as well.

The era name struggle continues...

Separating announcement, formal adoption of new era name 'not appropriate but not illegal' - The Mainichi

The Cabinet Legislation Bureau has indicated that separating the announcement and the formal adoption of the new era name after the enthronement of the new emperor on May 1, 2019 is "not appropriate but not illegal," according to people familiar with the matter.

[...]

But Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kazuhiro Sugita, who is the chief of bureaucrats among the prime minister's office staff, is calling for the announcement of the new era name about one month before the enthronement [...]. However, conservatives led by Seiichi Eto, a close aide to the prime minister, is staging strong opposition against the plan.

The idea of separating the timing of the announcement and of the formal adoption procedures was conveyed as a compromise to the premier by former House of Representatives Speaker Bunmei Ibuki of the LDP. The proposal consisted of two options for the timing of the announcement: when the Cabinet makes an informal approval of the new era name, or when the approval becomes official through a Cabinet decision. Then the new emperor, after his enthronement, would add his signature to the Cabinet order introducing the new era name.

[...] officials at the Cabinet Legislation Bureau were unenthusiastic about the first option, saying there is no clear legal foundation for making the announcement based on an informal Cabinet approval. The second option is legally acceptable, but does not explain the reason for going against the tradition of promulgating a Cabinet order on the same day the Cabinet approves it.

[...] The clash has no end in sight for the time being. Amid this face-off, the prime minister has maintained his earlier position that Sugita and Eto should "talk it out."

Conservative LDP lawmakers in a bind over calendars ahead of era name change - The Mainichi

[...] The lawmakers are particularly partial to using the Japanese Imperial era naming system rather than the Western calendar to express the year. [...] the new era name may not be announced until just before the change. Thus, lawmakers are left with no good solution, and some chose to not even write the year on their calendars after May, refusing to bend their conservative principles.

Most of the calendars prepared by private companies and other organizations for next year use the Western year, 2019. However, on the other hand, many conservative LDP legislators have continued until now to use the Japanese era name on the calendars sold to their supporters.

One member of the House of Councillors, who had printed only the Imperial era name on their calendars each year, printed "Heisei 31" from January to April, removing the year from May onward. A secretary explained on behalf of the lawmaker, "This is because they wanted to adhere to a calendar using the Imperial era name as someone who professes their conservatism."

Another upper house member, on the other hand, used Japanese era names for their brief personal profile [...] But, when it came to the upper house election next summer, the pamphlet read that they "will be seeking re-election in summer 2019," using the Western year. A staff member explained with a wry smile, "It's because it was impossible to omit the time period (for the election)."

[...]