Australian journalist refuses to apologize over Princess Masako book

I'm sure I browsed this book in Kinokuniya in Tokyo at the end of last year. The picture looks familiar. There was quite a hefty pile of them among other 'Imperial Family' books, just by the entrance. No one was kicking up a fuss then, or even taking much notice of it.
As nitro points out, lotsa free advertising to help sales.
Dumb move by the Kunaicho.

 

Princess Masako's daughter, Princess Aiko, was conceived by in vitro fertilization.
Yeah. Everyone knows that. It was a sucess for the couple but a failure for the rightists.
Thats why they're angry. They want their money back.

 

I imagine the crown princes friend is changing their tune because if it gets out in jpn what they said the rightwing nut jobs might drop by for a visit

gw

 

"I regard this as an attempt by the Japanese government to suppress and censor my book and I think it is absolutely outrageous," he said."

I hear ya brother! I hear ya! Now if only some would realize that more...........

 

Dont be surprised if you walk down the streets and randomly asked the the younger generation about what exactly happened in WWII.. you wont be getting the right answer. The amount of truth to Japanese people are usually being manipulated and mould. Thus when the REAL truth is being tourch, the culprits panicked and seek for scape-goat. Nay!! They arent going to find this one in Australia's ground. Serve them right!!

 

Has been known for good journalism,

But has also been know for stretching the truth in order to shock
He has been introduced on the Australian ABC TV show "Media Watch" which chases up dodgy journalism
And reading the posts of someone who was quoted in his book, I have a feeling he will be a target for criticizm for sloppy work,

Having said that, I'm glad there will be a book about the Japanese royal family, and if there aer errors let's have open debate about it

 

I will buy one on principle alone. If I was Bill I would tell the Japanese Government that I would apologize when they apologized to the Chinese and Korean Sex Slave women for WWII.
Don't change your book, Bill, if you have the evidence to back up your claims.

 

I haven't really cared to follow news about the Japanese imperial household. That being said, living here for 18 years, Japanese people have talked to me about the way Masako is so unfairly treated, and yes "a kind of prisoner." I know nothing about it, but MANY Japanese have used that word or something that means the same thing. I agree that I have had no desire to read about the topic of this book. But, as others here have said, now that the government itself is making a stink about it, I am a lot more interested to buy the book. Not that I will...but my interest level has been raised a couple of notches.

 

Surely they couldn't have expectedany other response?

 

Mosako had been a model princess , at least she was not sleeping around like Princess Diana,Australian still live under the thumb of the English monarchy ,who really need a monarchy,in america if you got money ,you treated like royalty anyway,an american view

 

Maybe the Japanese Govt could be less concerned with what Australia is publishing and more concerned with Brutish Foreign Crime manga....

 

"...one of the defamatory aspects of his book was his claim that princess Masako´s daughter, Princess Aiko, was concieved by in vitro fertilization".
I live in Japan since 8 years and have two lovely children after getting IVF treatments. We have always been open about this fact ... and are still confused about the reactions we often get from the Japanese. WHY is it shameful to talk about infertility? So many couples suffer from it even in Japan, believe it or not :). It would be a great relief for many if public people (like the Royal family) admit they have had to go through the same hell - and come out with a happy ending at last. By doing this they would finally be able to serve their nation well.
By calling the rumors about Masako´s IVF "disrespectful descriptions", I think the Japanese government are disrespecful to all the childless couples out there. Their feeling of shame will not be reduced by these kind of stupid statements.

 

"Mosako had been a model princess , at least she was not sleeping around like Princess Diana,Australian still live under the thumb of the English monarchy ,who really need a monarchy,in america if you got money ,you treated like royalty anyway,an american view"

just read your most recent post on this subject,
haven't got a clue what your point is,
so i was just wondering.......what is ICE like ???

 

The personal chamberlain (a kind of butler) to the emporer said the book is full of "factual errors" and sited two. One, that the emporer's duties are mainly undemanding appearance at non-controversial events. Two, that the emporer would be unlikely to get involved with one of the causes Princes Diana was interested in such as the Leprosy mission.

Well, those are presented as facts, but more as opinions, and both of them are really saying the same thing, aren't they? Also, in Hills book, he writes that Masako would be unlikely to get involved with an AIDS awareness campaign, not the emporer, and not leprosy. They are accusing him of factual errors, but there are errors in their accusations.

 

Perhaps Masako could get involved in raising awareness of the plight of the Minamata victims, poisoned by her grand-daddy's company, Chisso.