Japan Emperor, Empress Struggling with Roles amid Virus Crisis | Nippon.com
Professor Takeshi Hara of Open University of Japan, author of books such as "The End of Heisei" and specializes in the Imperial family, says while Emperor Naruhito has fulfilled his role in Imperial rituals, activities with the public as "symbol of Japan" has not been possible. However, the Imperial couple look quite equal with images showing them seated side-by-side at briefings and releasing Empress Masako's messages, not just Emperor Naruhito's. If there is a video message from the couple, then differences from Heisei will be more apparent.
Japanese historian and Professor Naotaka Kimizuka of Kanto Gakuin University notes how other royal families addressed the people directly via TV speeches. There is no such initiative in Japan. The government is responsible for any crisis such as COVID-19 but the royal family can have a role too. Other royal houses' videos and photos on SNS are very well received by the public. It is not enough to convey a message on the IHA website. SNS will allow the Imperial family to communicate without needing to meet people directly which is appropriate for the current pandemic.
Women's magazine news-postseven (17 July 2020) ponders the same questions.
- Unprecedented that Empress Masako's remarks are also released
- Their Majesties sent condolences for Kyushu's heavy rain damage, why not a video message?
- IHA's ability is being tested. The agency is committed to following precedent and reluctant to try new ideas.
- Video messages to the public are still rare. 1995's Great Hanshin earthquake did not merit a televised message. Emperor Akihito addressed the nation 5 days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but COVID-19 is a gradual and continuing crisis. The peak and timing are difficult to judge.
The Japanese version Jiji has more:[...] The Imperial couple has appeared only at the Imperial Palace recently, with all of their key regular domestic trips, including the one to attend the annual National Sports Festival, canceled this year.
The Imperial Household Agency has uploaded on its webpage the couple's remarks made during briefings including by a noted coronavirus expert at the Akasaka Imperial Residence, where the couple lives.
With their public exposure limited so far since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, some pundits are calling for the agency to use social media more actively to disseminate information on the couple as some foreign royal families do.
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Professor Takeshi Hara of Open University of Japan, author of books such as "The End of Heisei" and specializes in the Imperial family, says while Emperor Naruhito has fulfilled his role in Imperial rituals, activities with the public as "symbol of Japan" has not been possible. However, the Imperial couple look quite equal with images showing them seated side-by-side at briefings and releasing Empress Masako's messages, not just Emperor Naruhito's. If there is a video message from the couple, then differences from Heisei will be more apparent.
Japanese historian and Professor Naotaka Kimizuka of Kanto Gakuin University notes how other royal families addressed the people directly via TV speeches. There is no such initiative in Japan. The government is responsible for any crisis such as COVID-19 but the royal family can have a role too. Other royal houses' videos and photos on SNS are very well received by the public. It is not enough to convey a message on the IHA website. SNS will allow the Imperial family to communicate without needing to meet people directly which is appropriate for the current pandemic.
Women's magazine news-postseven (17 July 2020) ponders the same questions.
- Unprecedented that Empress Masako's remarks are also released
- Their Majesties sent condolences for Kyushu's heavy rain damage, why not a video message?
- IHA's ability is being tested. The agency is committed to following precedent and reluctant to try new ideas.
- Video messages to the public are still rare. 1995's Great Hanshin earthquake did not merit a televised message. Emperor Akihito addressed the nation 5 days after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami but COVID-19 is a gradual and continuing crisis. The peak and timing are difficult to judge.