EDITORIAL | Ignorant of UN Committee to Meddle with Japan's Imperial System

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has recommended that Japan amend its Imperial House Law. Furthermore, the UN committee contends that Japan's traditional system of succession is incompatible with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

By ancient tradition, succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne follows male heirs on the Emperor's father's side of the imperial family. Codified in the Imperial House Law, this tradition historically and today applies only to the imperial family.

Nevertheless, the UN committee included its recommendation on the Imperial House Law in its nonbinding report on Japan's policies regarding women. 

The succession to the throne of any sovereign state is related to its foundation as a nation. That is something beyond the jurisdiction of the UN committee. Outside elements should never attempt to interfere with it. Any recommendation linking this question to "discrimination against women" is an ignorant and malicious interference in Japan's domestic affairs. 

Japan's Government Reacts

The report's content is erroneous and spreads misunderstandings. It breeds prejudice both at home and abroad about the Emperor, whom the Japanese people revere. Such interference is totally unacceptable.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told a press conference: "It is extremely regrettable that the final report included a reference to Japan's Imperial House Law. We have strongly protested to the committee and demanded that the reference be deleted." 

Hayashi noted that eligibility to succeed to the throne is not a basic human right. He added that the Japanese government had carefully explained that this does not constitute discrimination against women under Article 1 of the convention. Nevertheless, regrettably, the UN committee went ahead and released its recommendation. 

Protests and demands for the removal of the offending recommendation are very much in order, but they are also insufficient. If the committee does not remove its recommendation, then Japan should terminate or freeze funding for the UN. The government should also consider withdrawing from the convention. 

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Another UN Committee Operating Out of Bounds

The committee was established under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The 23-member committee includes lawyers, academics, and women's group representatives. It makes recommendations to countries that are parties to the convention. 

It should be noted that the Pope is always a man. However, because the Vatican is not a party to the convention, it is exempt from the recommendations.

The UN committee clearly does not understand the nature of Japan's imperial house. Succession through the male line is directly linked to the legitimacy of the imperial throne. This principle of succession has been of great significance in preventing non-members of the imperial family from usurping the throne. 

Moreover, the committee appears to lack awareness of the critical facts. Although ordinary men cannot become members of the imperial family, ordinary women can become members through marriage. That point also shows the unreasonableness of their allegation. Simply, the imperial system does not discriminate against women. 

Furthermore, it is out of the question to compare Japan's imperial succession to those of other countries. They have far shorter and different histories and traditions from Japan.

The Committee's 2016 Attempt

In 2016, too, among its final recommendations the committee called on Japan to revise the Imperial Household Law. However, they removed it from the report after strong protests from the Japanese government. 

This time, the government must reflect deeply on its inability to kill the recommendation. Furthermore, it must take measures to address its ineffectiveness. 

Report Also Tells Japan to Change Civil Code

The report's final recommendations also recommend that Japan introduce a system allowing married couples to opt for different surnames. On this, it brazenly tells Japan that the relevant section of Japan's Civil Code on surnames is a "discriminatory provision." 

This, too, is nothing but arrogant interference in Japan's internal affairs. It shows a woeful lack of knowledge of the facts and depreciates Japanese culture and customs. It has nothing to do with gender equality or discrimination against women. That the UN body should even discuss this issue in such a wrong context is unacceptable.

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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