Emperor greets New Year well-wishers

The Japanese throne is held in deep respect by much of the public, despite being largely stripped of its mystique and quasi-divine status in the aftermath of the war.

This is a bit of a shame really. I think the Royal family should have a bigger say in the politics of the country. Their voice of reason could be enough to stop those bureaucratic cronies running the country into the ground with their narrow-minded self-important malarkey.

@DisillusionedJAN. 02, 2015 - 06:22PM JST The Japanese throne is held in deep respect by much of the public, despite being largely stripped of its mystique and quasi-divine status in the aftermath of the war. This is a bit of a shame really. I think the Royal family should have a bigger say in the politics of the country. Their voice of reason could be enough to stop those bureaucratic cronies running the country into the ground with their narrow-minded self-important malarkey.

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Well said. The JT news covers Emperor's speeches with Japanese well wishers. There is no report of Japanese people well wishers to Abe. No single article.

Bet 80-90% were old women pushing on each other to get the best position. Old women here love the royal family.