His Majesty's displeasure with book of interviews with C.Prince Akishino? Magazine report
It was reported that His Majesty the Emperor has expressed his displeasure with a book published in May, which is a compilation of interviews with his Imperial Heir, Crown Prince Akishino. The Daily Shincho reported on June 3.
The book is a compilation of a total of 37
one-on-one interviews conducted by journalist Keiji Emori, who has known Akishino
for over 30 years. The book was published within a short time after the
marriage of Akishino's eldest daughter, Mako, to Kei Komuro, and is said to
reveal Akishino's true feelings about this marriage, which was highly
criticized by the public.
In the book, there is a scene in which
Akishino says of the financial trouble between Kei's mother, Kayo, and her
former fiancé, "It's all about the Komuro family. The Akishino family has
absolutely nothing to do with it.” It is
assumed that Akishino wanted to convey the stance that the Akishino family was merely
involved in the matter.
According to the magazine's article,
"The Emperor has finally expressed his displeasure with the unprecedented
book 'Akishinonomiya,'" there is a strong windstorm within the Imperial
Household Agency about the book.
“’Within IHA, there is a persistent feeling
that "it is hard to avoid the charge of thoughtlessness to reveal one's
true feelings on a matter that is so recent, and about which there is a
partner, in one's position as the first in line of succession to the throne.”
Some even said, in a rather harsh tone, that they wished he would have been
more aware of his own position,’ an IHA official said.”
According to the same article, His Majesty
the Emperor was also displeased with the book. His Majesty was not informed in
advance of the publication of the book.
“’When His Majesty the Emperor heard that
the book was to be published, he was first concerned. Then, after checking the
contents and understanding the facts, I heard that he was displeased. Of
course, since it was His Majesty, he did not take such feelings out on his
entourage, but it was just that the people around him perceived it that way.
Even so, I think it is a very serious matter,’ an IHA official said.
What exactly was he displeased with?
‘I understand that His Imperial Highness Crown
Prince Akishino has long referred to media reports and complained about their
attitude and content, if not objected to them. That in itself is a rather
irregular situation, but even so, the fact that Prince Akishino, who has taken
such a stance, expressed his intention by asking the media for help may have
been seen as <too much> by His Majesty.’
To explain a little more specifically,
‘I have no choice but to consider His
Majesty's feelings, but I suppose that His Majesty considers it as a problem
that Akishino took a critical stance toward the media, while at the same time
giving special treatment to some journalists. Perhaps His Majesty's discomfort
would not be so great if, for example, he had himself published or expressed
his opinion in some other way.’”
It was originally pointed out at the time that criticism of the media by Akishino could lead to self-regulation of the media and infringe on freedom of the press. The "special treatment" of certain media by Akishino seems to have caused a stir.
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