The author, Nami Katsuragi, at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland, on October 14. (Provided by Nami Katsuragi)
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On October 14, I delivered a speech at the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland. Two weeks later on October 29, the same UN committee issued a report telling Japan how its Imperial system should operate.
My attendance was part of an NGO delegation representing the People's Alliance for Protection of Imperial Lineage by Paternal Male Succession to the Imperial Throne (PAPIL). This is what I said.
"The Tenno [Emperor] of Japan is a ritual master. The Catholic Church's Pope, the Islamic clergy, [and] the Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhists are all exclusively men.
"Yet, the United Nations does not call this gender discrimination. Why only Japan? There are various ethnic groups and beliefs in the world, and they should all be respected. Interfering in such internal affairs should not be allowed."
UN Recommendations and National Sovereignty
This issue arose in 2020 when CEDAW submitted a list of questions to the Japanese government. Among them was a statement suggesting that limiting imperial succession to patrilineal males under the Imperial Household Law constituted gender discrimination.
Four years ago, I sent a written protest against this claim. This time, with the committee holding its first in-person review of Japan in eight years, I decided to go to Geneva to make my voice heard.
I had the opportunity to speak with fewer than 10 of the 23 committee members. One interaction particularly surprised me.
A Lebanese member explained that the committee respects traditions and makes similar recommendations to countries with monarchies, not just Japan.
She emphasized that while recommendations are issued, it is ultimately up to each sovereign nation to decide whether to follow them.
This was an eye-opening moment for me. I realized that some committee members made recommendations solely to ensure fairness while respecting each nation's sovereignty.
The UN Illusion
Following the review of the Japanese government delegation, the committee released its concluding observations on October 29. By this time I had already returned to Japan.
The observations acknowledged Japan's position that "the provisions of the Imperial House Law are not within the purview of the Committee's competence." Nevertheless, it recommended that "the State party [...] amend the Imperial House Law."
The media reported this as a significant development, but I feel many Japanese people misunderstand the word "recommends." In English, it simply implies a suggestion and carries no legal force.
Yet, many in Japan seem to interpret it as a quasi-mandatory directive. As the Lebanese committee member pointed out, it is Japan's sovereign right to decide whether to accept or reject such recommendations.
Japanese people must awaken from the illusion that the United Nations is an authority above nations or a sanctuary of peace. We must realize we don't have to take their recommendations.
About Nami Katsuragi
A journalist and actress, Katsuragi was born in Tokyo in 1970 and graduated from the University of Tokyo's Faculty of Agriculture. She focuses on environmental and national security issues. Katsuragi is Chairman of the Association that Walks with the Defenders of Japan and People's Alliance for Protection of Imperial Lineage by Paternal Male Succession to the Imperial Throne (PAPIL) and serves as Secretary-General of the Reservists' Blue-Ribbon Association.
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Author: Nami Katsuragi
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