Analysis: Why doesn’t Japan allow women to be emperor? Prussia and concubines.
Japanese Emperor Akihito, center, waves to well-wishers celebrating his 83rd birthday with Empress Michiko and Crown Prince Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in 2016. By Adam Taylor Adam Taylor Foreign reporter who writes about a variety of subjects Email Bio Follow April 29 at 3:51 PM Historians say that the first leader of Japan’s imperial family took power more than 1,400 years ago, when Empress Suiko ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 592 AD.
But after him? No one. Of the 18 members of the Japanese royal family, 13 are female. There is no path to the throne for any of them. It’s a modern-day problem caused by a confluence of historical factors, including not only a shrinking royal family — partially after a societal move away from concubines — but also the influence of foreign powers — in particular, a 19th-century Prussian legal scholar — on Imperial Japan.
Politician Ito Hirobumi studied various political systems before settling on the Prussian constitution of 1850 as a model. The Japanese recruited a German legal scholar, Hermann Roesler, to help devise a similar system. Prussia’s was a conservative model of government, with considerable powers placed in the king and female heirs all but a last resort for the throne.
Ironically, the Prussian system didn’t last much longer: After assuming the throne in 1888, William II was both the last King of Prussia and the last German Emperor when he abdicated after Germany’s defeat in World War I.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Why Japan Is America's most Important allyThe US has many close alies, but Japan is the most important. As Abe visits Trump in Washington, trade and North Korea are the important issues they'll need to discuss
Consulte Mais informação »
Analysis | Japan has a 10-day holiday to mark the ascension of the new emperor. So why are people unhappy?Japan has a 10-day holiday to mark the ascension of the new emperor. So why are people unhappy?
Consulte Mais informação »
Centuries ago, women ruled Japan. What changed?The long-term survival of the world's oldest monarchy will depend on a schoolboy when Japan's current emperor abdicates next week, reviving calls for an end to laws that bar women from the throne.
Consulte Mais informação »
A New Emperor Ascends in a Changing JapanJapan’s next emperor has expressed concern about widening income gaps, global strife, the environment and the upsurge of refugees
Consulte Mais informação »
Trump's withdrawal from TPP trade deal is hurting U.S. exports to JapanTrump pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but Japan led its revival. Now American exporters are paying the price and U.S.-Japan trade friction has reemerged.
Consulte Mais informação »
Japan tells U.S. can't link monetary policy to trade: finance minister AsoJapanese Finance Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday he told U.S. Treasury Secret...
Consulte Mais informação »
Panasonic may upgrade Japan plant to make advanced Tesla batteries: sourcePanasonic Corp may upgrade one of its battery plants in Japan to produce advance...
Consulte Mais informação »
BOJ commits to very low rates at least through spring 2020, keeps policy steadyThe Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady on Thursday and clarified its inte...
Consulte Mais informação »
Tiger Woods announces he’ll compete in Japan for first time since 2006“I’m excited to play in the inaugural ZOZO Championship in October, and return to Japan, one of my favorite countries,' said the reigning Masters champion. 'It’s going to be a fun fall.”
Consulte Mais informação »