Akishino Family “Can Do Whatever They Want with Imperial Privileges”: Criticism by Imperial Household Scholar

It was recently reported that Prince Hisahito, the only son of the Akishino family, has been chosen to go to Tsukuba University High School through the privileged system of special affiliated admission. Yuji Odabe, professor emeritus at Shizuoka University of Social Welfare and an expert on the modern imperial family system, points out that the Akishino family lacks the education to overcome the problem on their own.

 

“There will be difficulties no matter which school he goes to. What is important is that His Highness is determined to overcome the difficulties in whatever he chooses to do. What is most undesirable is the idea that the privileges of the royal family allow them to do whatever they want.” (Shukan Josei, December 14, 2021)

 

The issue of Hisahito's decision around higher education and the use of imperial privileges by former Princess Mako in her marriage to Kei Komuro, as well as the attitude of her father, Prince Akishino, in protecting her, are connected by a single line. Let's listen to Mr. Odabe's argument for a while.

 

According to the December 1 edition of Shukan Josei PRIME,

 

“One of Mako's problems may be that she still thinks that she can overcome difficulties with the privileges of the imperial family. In that sense, I feel that the Akishino family lacks the education to overcome difficulties on their own. I think it is important not to let this ‘weakness of overprotection‘ of the Akishino family toward their child affect the future of His Majesty Prince Hisahito, who will become the future Emperor of Japan.”

 

His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino's birthday press conference was held publicly on November 30. In many scenes, he followed up with his eldest daughter, Mako, who is married to Kei Komuro.

 

Why the Imperial Family Enjoys the Privilege

 

One of the reasons why the wedding press conference was not interactive was because Mako suffers from 'complex PTSD'. He  followed up by saying that Mako was unable to answer questions from the press, saying : "I guess it's still more difficult because she could have a seizure or something when she’s holding a press conference,"

 

He doesn't seem to be convinced by the public tendency that Mako is putting the 'private' before the 'public' and said, "If we have to put the public before the private, we won't be able to get married for 10 or 20 years. "If I have to put the public before myself, I won't be able to get married for 10 or 20 years.

 

Although the imperial family members should also have a "private" part, the existence of the Imperial Family is based on the premise that they are in a public position.

 

“It is natural for the imperial family members to seek privacy, but first of all, they must be in a public position. That is why they enjoy so many privileges. As long as they are born into the Imperial Family, it is difficult for them to escape their fate.

 

　However, the common people are also doing their best to live with their fate. Rather, most of the people have no privileges, even though they may face their fate. As long as the Akishino family continues to emphasize the idea that they don't want to give up their privileges and want to be free from their fate, and that they are not aware of the hardships of the people, the winds will not weaken."(Professor Odabe, same below)

 

Egoism of the Akishino Family

 

“I want to be free from the fate of the Imperial Family.” This way of thinking may have been inherited by Kako, the second daughter of the Akishino family, who may get married at any time.

 

“The hurdle to marriage will naturally be raised, since the future partner will be required to have faith in the fact that he is related to the Akishino family, which has caused such a commotion. Even so, we can only hope that some people will overcome this with their love for Kako.

 

　The thing that worries me the most is that Kako is very close to her sister, Mako, and I imagine that she has a similar view of the Imperial Family and marriage as Mako.

 

　Rather than being a member of the Imperial Family who is close to the people, she may want to escape from the 'cage' that is the Imperial Family, and we cannot deny the possibility that Kako may cause the same uproar as Mako.”

 

The Mako's marriage fiasco has had an impact on the Imperial Family in no small way.

 

The current behavior of the Akishino family must seem surprisingly ‘egoistic’ to the people who have respected the Imperial Family up until the Heisei era, which was close to the people. Ms. Mako may have been suffering from the pains of being a member of the Imperial Family, but I think it was a big mistake for her to try to solve it by forcibly leaving the Imperial Family instead of revealing it to the people.

 

　Fortunately, most of the people in Japan see this as an issue of the Akishino family's educational policy, so the impact on the Imperial Family as a whole has not been widespread so far. Nevertheless, the issue of Ms. Mako has brought to the public's attention the privileged treatment of the Imperial Family and the deep-rooted nature of disciplinary actions against the Imperial Family.”

 

One of the main reasons why the Japanese people distrusted Kei Komuro and were concerned about his marriage to Mako was because of the numerous reports of money-related problems and allegations against the Komuro family.

 

　In addition, Professor Odabe pointed out that they should publish their expenditure details in order to prove that they are not using the money of the Imperial Family,

 

 

"There will be no proper heir to the throne."

 

The topic of Princess Aiko borrowing the tiara of Princess Kiku (now Kiyoko Kuroda) was a good one. In terms of being more attentive to the people, it may be important to disclose the details of the use of court and royal family expenses.

 

　With the increase in the number of official duties being performed online, security and other expenses have been kept quite low. The Imperial Household Agency might want to at least announce that it is not being used to pay for Mako's security.

 

　Money matters can be a rude subject, but it is a serious issue for people in financial hardship. If the expenses for the support of the people in the wake of the corona disaster could be raised from the expenses of the inner court and the imperial family, respect for the Imperial Family would be further enhanced. On the other hand, escaping the country and enjoying the life of a celebrity in a New York condominium without taking care of the people who are suffering from the Corona disaster is the worst thing you can do.”

 

Mako's marriage is said to have been caused by the Akishino family's educational policy of "respecting the wishes of the individual.” As criticism against the Akishino family, the next generation of emperors, intensifies, it will have a major impact on the issue of succession to the throne, which the government is currently working on. Professor Odabe continues, "There is even a danger that there will eventually be no suitable successor to the throne.”

 

Thanks to the current moderate behavior of the Emperor and his family, I don't believe there will be the collapse of the imperial family system anytime soon. However, the public's distrust of the Akishino family and the forcefulness of Mako's choice of a partner will have a major impact on the issue of the succession to the throne in the future, creating the possibility of promoting the collapse of the imperial family system after 2020.

 

　There have been calls for allowing Princess Aiko to succeed to the throne and for the return of the male line of the former imperial family to the current Imperial Family, but such discussions have already been going on since the Junichiro Koizumi cabinet and have yet to be settled. Unless there is a great sense of crisis among the people and the political will to implement such a plan, they'll just end up discussing it.

　By that time, Princess Aiko will be married and public sympathy for the former members of the Imperial Family will have waned, and there may be no suitable successor to the throne.”

 

 

What will the Akishino family and the government say to Professor Odabe's point with all his might.