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Of all the dark, unaccounted, and probably dangerous-to-world-peace factors that run modern Japan, the emperor is the least problem - in fact, Hirohito and hope
by suction 5y ago
Of all the dark, unaccounted, and probably dangerous-to-world-peace factors that run modern Japan, the emperor is the least problem - in fact, Hirohito and hopefully his son, have repeatedly spoken out against the prevalence of far-right nationalist chauvinists in the highest positions of Japanese politics and economy.
- dustintrex 5y agoCitation needed. As the friendly article explains in detail, Japanese emperors do not "speak out" about anything at all, and are in fact constitutionally forbidden from doing so.
- suction 5y agoThat article isn't the end-all take on communication methods in confucian societies, I'd say. "Speak out" is still the applicable term in Japan, even if over there, it might be making a certain facial gesture or positioning of the body on part of the Emperor that does the speaking. Everybody raised in that culture will understand it. Often, it's more. Like not supporting an idea vocally is tantamount to heavy criticism.
- Aeolun 5y agoSo they whisper very loudly. If all you say is 100% scripted those few times you deviate are very loud indeed.
- dustintrex 5y agoThey don't whisper so much as signal and allude, and as the article also explains, Akihito was quite good at tweaking the noses of the far right. However, this is a far cry from denouncing "the prevalence of far-right nationalist chauvinists in the highest positions of Japanese politics and economy".
- suction 5y agoExactly. Or not making a statement at all when you're expected to address something. That's why American visitors like the guy above you are often so lost in Japanese culture, they can't "read the air".