Succession and Membership Issues


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Oh, I am so happy for her and especially for her mother, who has been under such a great pressure to produce a male heir all these years.
 
Japan may let women take throne

Japan's ruling party is considering proposals to revise the constitution to let women take the throne, according to a draft seen by local media.

The proposal comes amid mounting unease that the current heir to the throne and his siblings have no male children.

The proposal is part of a wide-ranging review of Japan's constitution.

Also under discussion are controversial changes to extend the military's ability to act defensively when serving in missions overseas.

Analysts believe pressure on Princess Masako - the wife of the current heir to the throne - to bear a male heir has contributed to stress-related illnesses which have keep her out of the public eye for nearly a year.


Any changes at all are likely to alarm Japan's neighbours in the region, still scarred from the effects of Japanese militarism during World War II.
news from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4018745.stm
another links of similar news:
http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2004/11/17/princessaiko/
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/117551/1/.html
 
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Perhaps we should continue this discussion in this thread.:)
 
galuhcandrakirana said:
Japan's ruling party is considering proposals to revise the constitution to let women take the throne, according to a draft seen by local media.

The proposal is part of a wide-ranging review of Japan's constitution.

Also under discussion are controversial changes to extend the military's ability to act defensively when serving in missions overseas.

Any changes at all are likely to alarm Japan's neighbours in the region, still scarred from the effects of Japanese militarism during World War II.
news from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4018745.stm

I'm afraid that including many changes in one constitutional review draft might kill it. When politicians try to hide controversial changes (such as the military's being allowed to act defensively here) with popular ones (like letting women access the throne), the good ones also die at vote time. It would be a shame for Aiko.
 
FOCUS: Panel offers conflicting proposals on imperial succession in report

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050726/kyodo/d8bj48k00.html

An Equal Opportunity Throne?

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/0,1518,366899,00.html
scroll down to the bottom and you'll see this article

Chrysanthemum throne may be open to a woman
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/chrysanthemum-throne-may-be-open-to-a-woman/2005/07/26/1122143845164.html?oneclick=true

Female monarch an option in succession: gov't panel interim report
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=194232

Japan urged to consider female monarchs

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/world/12227621.htm
 
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News photo from Japanese Broadcast Stations reporting about the Imperial succession in Japan on July 26, 2005.

#1: NNN News
#2: TBS news
#3: NHK news
 

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it would be great if they could have female monarchs in future, :)
 
this is the 21st Century???

Japan needs to join the 21st Century on this!! They are at the forefront of so many things, but have 17th century attitudes about women.:mad: :mad:

There should be no problem with Princess Aiko ascending the throne. Change the laws of succession please in the constitution!!!

P.S. don't sneak in any sneaky proposals about the military while drafting these changes for the Japanese constitution. One thing they should rid themselves of with the new changes is abolish the Imperial Household Agency!!!:p :D
 
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1709801,00.html

The empire of the daughter
By Our Foreign Staff
trans.gif
Japan should consider allowing women to become reigning empresses, a government panel has advised, opening a public debate on the future of the oldest monarchy.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-07/26/content_3270058.htm

Panel report favors female emperor in Japanwww.chinaview.cn 2005-07-26 19:36:47
TOKYO, July 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A report delivered by a government-backed panel on Tuesday said that a female should be allowed access to the throne.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1536575,00.html

Way paved for empress of Japan

[font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Justin McCurry in Tokyo
Wednesday July 27, 2005
The Guardian

[/font][font=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif]Japan moved a step closer to ending centuries of tradition - and solving a looming succession crisis - when a government panel said women should be allowed to sit on the throne. [/font]
 
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Yay! I wish all Royal Families would adopt this custom.
 
This is looking promising!! Hold on Masako and Aiko!!!!
 
I sure hope it happens for Aiko. Otherwise Her uncle Prince Akishino will be next and then try to change the laws to favor his oldest daughter.
Wittykitty:(
 
http://www.washtimes.com/world/20050728-100804-6316r.htm

No male apparent, Japan mulls princess for throne

TOKYO(Agence France-Presse) -- A government-appointed panel said this week that letting a woman ascend the Japan- ese throne was one option to avert an imperial succession crisis, but added that there needs to be more debate about the idea, which is supported by much of the public.
 
Finally! Now, Aiko will have the same opportunity as a brother/uncle to be empress. It is her birthright. I hope she'll be 2nd in the line of succession.

That being said, I think Liechtenstein should also review their succession laws.
 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20050728/ts_csm/ofemrex_1

Just another link to add. :)

I sure hope Japan allows for sweet Aiko to rule. Tradition is wonderful, but if it's a choice between tradition and the line dying out, or going in a newer direction and allowing the line to continue - then I think the Japanese would be wise to go with the latter.
 
Parts from a magazine cover named Shukanjosei featuring an article about the succesion law in Japan
magazine issue featuring Aug. 16
 

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Advisory panel backs first-born child as heir to the throne
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald...0510210166.html

Most Japanese support female royal succession -poll
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/new...-SUCCESSION.xml

Gov't panel says direct descendants succession rule would be stable
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050929/kyodo/d8ctum380.html

Women may stay in imperial family after marrying commoners: panel
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/051005/kyodo/d8d1tkfod.html

Panel OK with female emperors and their offspring to succeed to throne
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200510060249.html

Anti-female monarch campaign kicks off
http://asia.news.yahoo.com/051006/kyodo/d8d2g3088.html

Panel to propose allowing females to ascend throne
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=210178
 
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Japan female succession queried

A member of the Japanese royal family has said the country should consider other options before allowing a woman to succeed to the throne.
Prince Tomohito, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, said Japan should expand its royal circle and reintroduce concubines to increase the chances of a male heir.
His remarks come as a panel of experts considers the possibility of allowing women to take the throne.
This is because the two sons of the current emperor have no male children.
Some conservatives have opposed changing the succession laws, but the idea has wide support among the country's public.
Prince Tomohito's arguments were published in a private newsletter. "The reason why the imperial family line is so precious... is due to the very fact that it's been, without exception, a male line," he wrote.

The question is whether it is a right thing to change the unique tradition and history so easily."

He said one option would be to reinstate former members of the old aristocracy who left the Imperial Family after Japan's defeat in World War II.
"Using concubines, like we used to, is also an option," he said. "I'm all for it, but this might be a little difficult considering the social climate in and outside the country."
A 10-member government panel has been debating the issue of female succession since January, and said last week that it would recommend that the rules be changed.
Japan's 71-year-old ruling emperor, Akihito, has two sons and a daughter, but none of them have so far produced a male heir to ensure the succession.
The Imperial Household's main succession hopes lie with Akihito's eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Masako.
But analysts believe the pressure on Masako to bear a male heir contributed to stress-related illnesses which stopped her fulfilling official duties for more than a year.
If the rules were changed, her three-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, could succeed instead. Japan has had female monarchs before - between the 6th and 18th centuries - but all have reigned in emergency circumstances and none had children who then ascended the throne.

bbc news
 
Anyone but a woman: prince
Adoption, concubines said preferable to an empress


Compiled from AP, Kyodo
Japan should exhaust all other options before allowing a woman to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne, including adoption and the use of concubines, a cousin of Emperor Akihito said in a newsletter obtained Thursday.
With the Chrysanthemum Throne facing a severe succession crisis -- the Imperial family has not produced a male heir in 40 years -- a government panel agreed last month to propose allowing women to reign. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako have one child, 3-year-old Princess Aiko.
But Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, the Emperor's cousin, said that old traditions, such as allowing concubines, should be revived instead.
"We should try various other ways first," the prince, 56, wrote in an essay published in a newsletter circulated among staff of the Imperial Household Agency.
"The question is whether it is a right thing to change the unique tradition and history so easily."
The prince is the eldest cousin of the Emperor and is fifth in line to the throne.
While calls have been growing to revise the Imperial House Law to allow female monarchs, it is the first time an Imperial family member's views on the issue have been made known.
His comment appeared in the Sept. 30 newsletter, the latest edition of the quarterly, which is not sold, said Koji Okubo, an Imperial Household Agency staffer at the prince's residence.
In the essay, titled "Sea Lion's Chat," the prince suggested bringing back male royals who were forced from the old aristocracy after World War II, allowing the adoption of sons of former royals, or reviving a system in which the sons of concubines were allowed to ascend to the throne.
"Using concubines, like we used to, is also an option. I'm all for it, but this might be a little difficult considering the social climate in and outside the country," he wrote, noting that both the father and grandfather of his uncle, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, were sons of concubines.
The tradition ended during the reign of Emperor Showa -- known as Emperor Hirohito during his reign -- who refused to take a concubine.
Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, only males who are descended from emperors on their father's side can ascend to the throne. Under that law, neither Princess Aiko nor her future children can ascend to the throne.
The Imperial family is prohibited from interfering in politics under the Constitution, and they have no say over the panel's discussions.
Responding to the prince's column, one of the 10 members on the government panel said, "While it is private writing, I believe members of the Imperial family should be cautious in making political statements.
"We will just continue to proceed in our discussions toward the final report. The direction we plan to move toward will not change," said the member, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The Japan Times: Nov. 4, 2005

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20051104a1.htm
 
Emperor's cousin raises questions over female imperial heir

Japan should exhaust all other options before allowing a woman to ascend its imperial throne, including adoptions and bringing back concubines, Emperor Akihito's cousin said in a newsletter obtained yesterday.
With the Chrysanthemum Throne facing a severe succession crisis Japan's imperial family has not produced a male heir in 40 years a government panel agreed last month to propose allowing women to reign. Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako have one child, a 3-year-old daughter named Aiko.
But Prince Tomohito, Akihito's cousin, said that old traditions, such as allowing concubines, should be revived instead.
"We should try various other ways first," before allowing female monarchs, Prince Tomohito wrote in an essay published in a newsletter circulated among staff of the Imperial Household Agency.
"The question is whether it is a right thing to change the unique tradition and history so easily."
Tomohito is the eldest cousin of Japanese Emperor Akihito and is fifth in line for succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
His comment appeared in the September 30 newsletter, the latest edition of the quarterly, which is not sold, said Koji Okubo, an Imperial Household Agency staff at the prince's residence.
In the essay, "Sea Lion's Chat," Tomohito suggested bringing back male royals who were forced from the old aristocracy after World War II, allowing adoption of sons of former royals, or reviving a system in which the sons of concubines were allowed to ascend the throne.
"Using concubines, like we used to, is also an option. I'm all for it, but this might be a little difficult considering social climate in and outside the country," Tomohito wrote, noting that both the father and grandfather of his uncle, former Emperor Hirohito, were sons of concubines.
Under the 1947 Imperial Household Law, only males who are descended from emperors on their father's side can succeed to the throne. Under that law, neither Princess Aiko nor her future children can ascend the throne.
The royal family is prohibited from interfering in politics under Japan's Constitution, and they have no say over the panel's discussions.
Okubo said he did not know whether Tomohito wrote the statement to represent members of the royal family or whether he planned to submit his proposals to the government panel.
In July, the panel compiled an interim report suggesting as options a legal change to allow a female monarch or to bring back members of the old aristocracy or their offspring who were forced from the imperial household in 1947 after Japan's defeat in World War II.
The idea of allowing a woman to take the throne has broad popular support in Japan.
Source: China Daily


http://english.people.com.cn/200511/04/eng20051104_219042.html
 
from several newspaper in chinese....they say that the cousin of the emperor say these kinda things because they want to "get themselve back into the throne" cuz Prince Mikasa is 4th in line for the throne....and 3 sons after him (Prince Mikasa Tomohito, Prince Katsura, Prince Takamado)

also....they were proposing to allow the crown prince to have a mistress/ concubine so that there is a male heir produced by this "woman"
 
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Prince Tomohito doesn't have any sons, he only has 2 daughters.
 
mandyy said:
Prince Tomohito doesn't have any sons, he only has 2 daughters.


typo.....let me find which prince it's supposed to be first...or...u can correct me?
 
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