Chrysanthemum taboo

Chrysanthemum taboo (菊タブー Kiku tabū) is the term for the Japanese social taboo against discussion or criticism of the Emperor of Japan, especially the late Emperor Shōwa.[1][2][3] The taboo also extended to discussion of the Emperor's declining health.[4][5]

The term came into use in the 1960s[6] and originates from the Imperial Seal of Japan, also called the Chrysanthemum Seal.

Overview

Before the end of the World War II, criticism and discussions of Emperor and the emperor system were severely punished by the old Penal Code as they were considered to be blasphemy and there was also strong pressure from Japanese society to such actions. Further, Peace Preservation Law was enacted in 1941 to punish such criticisms against the Emperor system.

After the war, freedom of speech was widely recognized and the old Penal Code which prohibited blasphemy was also abolished. Due to the abolishing of old Penal Code, even critical speech against the Emperor and the emperor system was not legally punished and such criticism became socially more tolerated than before.

However, some right-wing organizations and their members often caused violent activities to prevent this transition. Mass media refrained from critical speech about the Emperor and the emperor system for the fear of being attacked by right-wing organization, and this is one of reasons of the beginning of mass media's self-regulation. There is no evidence of self-regulations rules or standards for self-regulations about Emperor in the print media, however, in the broadcast media, for example, Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association (JBA) has a section saying "(broadcast media) do not broadcast in an attempt to harm our country and our country’s authority and as a symbol of country, Emperor is a subject to be included as the country’s authority (translated into Japanese)."[7] This self-regulation led to critical speech against Emperor and emperor system being treated as taboo in mass media and it has come to be euphemistically referred to as Kiku taboo since Kiku means Chrysanthemum.

The presence of public awareness of taboo

In 1988, when Showa-emperor was hospitalized, broadcast media tended to refrain from having entertainment programs voluntarily and words used in TV commercials were carefully considered due to the hospitalized Showa emperor.[8] Some events and sports festivals were self-regulated for the same reason. The British newspaper "The Sun" wrote "the hell awaits for the Emperor" and Ministry of Foreign Affair complained through the British Embassy in Japan. Some politicians in Liberal Democratic Party roared "if a special correspondent stays in Japan, we need to banish them." However, when it was reported that then-Prince concerned "Emperor would not like to see such exaggerated reactions", there was seen a movement of "refraining from self-regulation".

In 2006, while people celebrated for the birth of Prince Hisahito of Akishino in September, a blog of Hirotada Ototake which cynically criticized the celebration was attacked and Ototake apologized after all. In October of the same year, there was a criticism against a reporter of Mainichi newspaper who wrote visits of the Emperor and the Empress to Saga prefecture negatively. The criticism mainly occurred on Internet based on the fact that the reporter was a Korean living in Japan and further, due to a number of criticisms from many organizations, Mainichi newspaper gave the reporter a serious warning.

In February 2007, Koudansha decided not to publish Japanese translated book Princess Masako: Prisoner of the chrysanthemum throne written by Ben Hills. Ministry of Foreign Affair and the Imperial Household Agency complained to Hills, but Hills responded "no need for apology, it was the Imperial Household Agency that has to apologize to Ms. Masako. It is obvious that Japanese government was afraid of criticism from Japanese people." Koudansha explained their decision by stating "the author’s attitude is problematic and we can’t take responsibility for what might happen do to the publication." Hills answered the interview from Mainichi newspaper and said "it is very disappointing that Koudansha decided not to publish. I am sure that Koudansha gave into the pressure from the Imperial Household Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affair, and other government offices." On August 2 in the same year, Daisanshokan decided to publish the book. Daisanshokan stated "there is no particular reason for not publishing. We will correct dates and simple mistakes and publish a perfect version."

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dudden, Alexis (2008). Troubled Apologies Among Japan, Korea, and the United States. Columbia University Press. p. 38. ISBN 9780231141765.
  2. ↑ Field, Norma (2011-02-09). In the Realm of a Dying Emperor. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 59. ISBN 9780307761002.
  3. ↑ Dudden, Alexis (2006). "Japan’s Political Apologies and the Right to History" (PDF). Harvard University. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  4. ↑ Sugimoto, Yoshio (2003). An Introduction to Japanese Society. Cambridge University Press. p. 239. ISBN 9780521529259.
  5. ↑ Chira, Susan (29 December 1988). "Is Hirohito Free of War Guilt? The Risks of Defying a Taboo". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Leiter, Samuel L. (2009). Rising from the Flames: The Rebirth of Theater in Occupied Japan, 1945-1952. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 125. ISBN 9780739128183.
  7. ↑ 「民放連 放送基準解説書2014 (JBA Broadcasting Standard Reference)」（一般社団法人日本民間放送連盟発行、2014年9月）
  8. ↑ It was seen in commercials of Cefiro from Nissan and Carina from Toyota as car companies. In other industries, Lotte also self-regulated.
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