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Japan Today's Toshiya Fujii dropped into Hibiya to ask:
What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the book "Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne?"
"The crown princess is selfish and Americanized. I know she's ill and that the crown prince told the public to be patient on her recovery, but there hasn't been any report of an improvement in her condition. She probably wasn't the type to be in the imperial family. But to answer your question, I am all for publishing books on the imperial family, so it shouldn't have been pulled. I don't think any journalist would write fabrications ... not if he or she has any integrity. Maybe some stuff is actually true, and the Imperial Household Agency didn't want us to learn about it; for example that Princess Aiko was conceived through IVF." |
"The royal family of Great Britain and the imperial family of Japan are similar in many ways, but one major distinction between the two is that the former is more open and the latter is closed. In Britain, the people and the press are free to criticize the royal family, but that is not the case in Japan. There is a sense in society that we should never badmouth the imperial family. As for the book, I am not sure why the publication got canceled. The photos used in the book were provided by the Imperial Household Agency, so they had their chance but slacked on reviewing the book early on. Their checking system isn't up to a level of competency." |
"I am not interested in reading the book because I am not sure how well the author understands Japan. But no matter how much he understands, I don't think the cultural difference can be eliminated when talking on the subject. But the fact that the publisher decided to cancel the release is probably due to political pressure from the outside. Neither side would ever admit it, but I am certain that is the case. It would mean that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are at stake. It is a hard call whether it was the right or wrong decision by the government since I never read the book, but I guess the government made the right choice in the end." |
"My birthday and Princess Masako's happen to be the same, so I have always felt some sympathy for her. My opinion is that she had felt a tremendous amount of stress and pressure by assuming the principles and the tradition of the imperial family, including having had to give birth to a boy. So it is no wonder that she became ill. There also was a huge gap between what she intended to do as a princess and reality. I don't know what's written in the book, but whatever it may be, I was hoping that it would initiate a debate on the relationship between Masako and the Imperial Household Agency and eventually lead to a discussion on the existence of the family. But the book was canceled, so it is easy to imagine that there was external pressure to stop the publication. But what I found most disappointing is that many people didn't see the cancellation as a problem. The book was an opportunity to discuss the issue and thus improve the situation for Masako and the family, but no media picked up on it. I found it disappointing." |
"The government had to step in because the material probably cast the imperial family in a bad light. Some of the contents were wrong as the government claimed, but some others may have been true. It was probably best that those facts never reach Japanese society to keep the integrity and dignity of the imperial family. The book probably said things that Japanese are reluctant to speak up about." |
"With its misleading information, the book would slander the imperial family if it ever got released. I think Kodansha solely decided not to publish the book, because they concluded that the contents are actually fabricated. By doing so, I don't think it violates freedom of the press or expression at all, because the book is made up of lies, just like those tabloid magazines that get suspended after they publish rumors that are not true." |
"There definitely was pressure from the government to cancel the release of the book. And by doing so, I think it interfered with freedom of expression. I know very little about the imperial family and want to know more, but I just wonder if there is any publication on the subject. I think the book would have been an interesting read, although I am not sure how credible it is." |
"The imperial family is the symbol of Japan and if any erroneous facts were written about it, then it is only logical that the government would file a complaint. So I think it is good that the publisher canceled the release of the book with its fabrications. But then again, I am interested to learn what is written in the book. I've been watching the morning TV wide shows. Hopefully, the book will be released eventually by another publisher. They will probably have to change the title to be able to put it out, though." |
February 28, 2007
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Japan Today Discussion
25 Total Messages (Click here to show all)
15 Messages Shown (Scroll down for most recent)
| Arai-san....way to go |  |
Ahmadinejad   (Feb 28 2007 - 18:50) | Rate | Report |
| Arai-san.... way too gone | |
| kawasemi (Feb 28 2007 - 23:34) | Rate | Report |
| If Masako would of stayed in america | |
| yrral (Mar 1 2007 - 00:36) | Rate | Report |
| What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the | |
| Please (Mar 1 2007 - 03:11) | Rate | Report |
| Censorship | |
| tkoind (Mar 1 2007 - 09:06) | Rate | Report |
Cheers to Mona who is obviously the one one here will a clue about freedom of expression. There should be more intelligent minded people following in this young but very clear thinking young lady.
The imperial family is a public symbol and therefor subject to public criticism and conjecture. The princess is clearly under significant stress that has more to do with the intensity of attention her role brings and not here "American-ness." She is afterall a human being even if oyaji think she needs to be some kind of super Japanese. I feel for her as a human being who should be able to keep her family and shut out the press if she wants to. And she clearly needs to.
As for the book. Some smart smaller publisher will find a way to turn this into a profitable venture and it will come to light and many many Japanese will read it with great relish. Kudanshita has just demonstrated itself to be weak to the demands of the state and has failed in its responsibility to uphold freedom of expression.
One last thing. Ryohei- Japan is no X-file mystery. People here are people. Much of the aura that some Japanese believe make this country and its people so mysterious and hard to understand is national self deception. On the contrary, Japan is very many ways is highly predictable and behaviour here frequently easy to anticipate. The great mystery is why more Japanese have not awakened to the point that you are more or less like every other human being on the planet and certainly no different in degree of cultural variation than any other nationality can lay claim to. So get over the mysterious nation bit and work a little harder to understand your similarities to the rest of the planet. It will only benefit Japan to do so.
| Can we discuss the issue? | |
| rjd_jr (Mar 1 2007 - 09:50) | Rate | Report |
The question is, what do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication. And I say, let them. It is no one's business what Kodansha does or doesn't do. A book about the imperial family is not a guidebook to solving cancer or anything of benefit to society, so what is the fuss about? If people in japan want to read it, then they can buy it on vacation or buy it from amazon.com or something.
| What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the | |
| kymiguano (Mar 1 2007 - 09:53) | Rate | Report |
| Correction + Actions are Louder than Words: | |
| Badsey (Mar 1 2007 - 10:03) | Rate | Report |
"With its misleading information, the book would slander the imperial family if it ever got released.
-you mean libel in this case.
It seems very few liberal commentators are answering the question: "What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the book "Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne?"
I am happy for your study of chopsticks and I am willing to challenge your proficiency in food battle, but let's all answer the question.
I thought it was a good decision and "cancel" seems to be a fair word to be used for the time being. Kunaicho vs Ben Hills: -For now the powers have negated themselves, I expect this battle to continue. This is a battle worth fighting, but does Ben Hills have the resources to even provide a sufficient challenge? The duck and run philisophy doesn't always work when you are attacked straight on = Ben Hills has not answered the Kunaicho's challenge!! The book has been pulled out of publication and Ben Hills has done nothing except yell (and slander) like a child. You need to do better than that in battle Ben Hills.
At the first sign of attack you should never give up. I feel Ben Hills has given up. Luckily this attack is only happening in Japan. If it was a complete attack (book pulled WorldWide) this battle would be no more. Armed with chopsticks and food, Ben Hills would starve while I act the glutton.
| So is it ok to comment on the Responses or not? | |
| kawasemi (Mar 1 2007 - 10:26) | Rate | Report |
| You show the gift, but do you have the stomache? | |
| Badsey (Mar 1 2007 - 10:47) | Rate | Report |
"I am not interested in reading the book because I am not sure how well the author understands Japan. But no matter how much he understands, I don't think the cultural difference can be eliminated when talking on the subject. But the fact that the publisher decided to cancel the release is probably due to political pressure from the outside. Neither side would ever admit it, but I am certain that is the case. It would mean that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are at stake. It is a hard call whether it was the right or wrong decision by the government since I never read the book, but I guess the government made the right choice in the end."
kawasemi
I wonder what that Ryohei fellow is talking about. If you read a little history, get to know some Japanese people, & live or even visit here, I'm pretty sure you can understand Japan. Am I missing something? I may be gifted though because it only took me a week to master using chopsticks.
I guess you need to bite into it to understand it. I myself have a hard time with UK humour, and Aussie humour is not far behind. And what a better way to discuss than over a meal. Food Battle! it is. Kunaicho vs Ben Hills at the Imperial Palace. Food: Minke Whale (you bring the wine)
"The crown princess is selfish and Americanized.
| The question and responses are on topic | |
| TkoInd (Mar 1 2007 - 10:59) | Rate | Report |
With regard to the ability of a foreigner to write about Japan, the answer is that anyone has the right to publish an opinion on just about anything. His point of view is just as valid for publication as anyone elses. I think his opinion should be aired and then subjected to critical feedback. Only then can it be properly discredited as tabloid or validated as fact. But without publication there is no opportunity for public debate. And it is this aspect that is frightening in the suppression of this book.
As a gaijin in Japan for a very long time, I find that much of the "impossible to understand mystery of Japan" is an illusion. Most things that people say foreigners can't understand are common to anyone visiting a new culture. There is no more deep mystery here than in any other nation. The difference is the Japanese illusion that Japan is somehow alien to anyone non-Japanese. This is simply fantacy. While there are many unique cultural aspects that make up Japan, very, very few are impenitrable enigmas that cannot be understood by someone willing to take the time to do so.
| What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the | |
| rjd_jr (Mar 1 2007 - 11:14) | Rate | Report |
And I agree with what kymiguano said, I highly doubt japan would be the only nation where a portion of its citizens would be very outraged, if someone that neither spoke the language or knew the 'culture' wrote a book about that culture or its citizens that could be offensive. Like many Islamic nations for example. If a japanese person wrote a book about the royal familiy in britain, and made some critical points in it, people here and elsewhere would be up in arms and be highly critical of this japanese person as ignorant and whatnot. I mean, look at the responses of those calling for boycott of family mart and saying that dirt mag shouldn't be sold anywhere. Why should that magazine be banned, yet this book be sold under the banner of 'freedom of speech?' I think more people need to be understanding of the japanese people and culture, Kodansha has every right to do what it did.
| RJD_JR | |
| tkoind (Mar 1 2007 - 15:32) | Rate | Report |
Second. People write things about other cultures all the time. And often with scewed perspectives. And yes it angers and outrages people. But that is healthy for a society. It fosters debate, inspires introspection and may raise questions that will get at the real truth. But if you suppress debate then this process ends before it begins and not a single person is served.
| Are you serious???? | |
| leathers (Mar 1 2007 - 18:53) | Rate | Report |
In Britain if a book was released about the Royal Family by a Japanese guy who didn't speak English I hardly think it would be taken seriously enough to be deemed even worth bothering with. It's almost an admission of guilt about the truths contained in the book that efforts have been made to ban it. If it was not threatening they wouldn't care.
And for anyone who can't see the difference between this book and the magazine about gaijin, it's very simple. This book should be aiming to purely state facts which, if not true, fair enough go ahead and sue the author and pull the book, whereas the magazine was making comments that many people thought were overtly racist, xenophobic generalisations with a quite pathetic array of evidence leading to ridiculous conclusions which were blatantly wrong, and if inciting racial hatred was a crime here would have landed the author in prison.
| What do you think about Kodansha's decision to cancel publication of the Japanese translation of the | |
| hkdegozaru (Mar 15 2007 - 02:44) | Rate | Report |
Hiroki's living in his own strange little world, and Kiyoshi's wrong to think that facts should be hidden from an entire country's society to preserve any sense of integrity.
Go Kazoo! Great name, and the best thoughts!
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