Greetings,
"The Council on East Asian Community (CEAC) E-Letter" is delivered electronically bimonthly, free of charge, to readers in the world interested in Japanese thinking on an East Asian Community and other related international affairs by the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC), all-Japan intellectual platform for the study of an East Asian Community.
It will provide the global audience with our news on "CEAC Commentary" and "CEAC Updates."
If you wish to unsubscribe, please enter your email address in the "unsubscribe" box at the following link:
http://www.ceac.jp/e/e-letter/unsubscribe.html
ITO Kenichi
President, CEAC
"CEAC Commentary"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"CEAC Commentary"presents views of members of CEAC on an East Asian Community and other related international affairs. The view expressed herein is the author's own and should not be attributed to CEAC.
----------------- - - - -----------------
Reflecting on the "Existence of the Emperor" on 3-11
By HANAOKA Nobuaki
Professor of Takushoku University
Bowing down low or curtsying, the Emperor and Empress spoke to each individual who had become a victim affectionately. Waiting until March 30th so it would not interfere with the aid and relief work, the Emperor paid a visit to the emergency evacuation area. Eyes were moist with tears when the Emperor gave a message to the people, announcing that there will be a scheduled power stoppage put into action every day. During this biggest catastrophe post-WWII, I reconsider the meaning of "Existence of the Emperor."
First of all, the term "The Emperor System of Japan" exists, but is this truly appropriate? When you use the word "system," you will get "a systemized institution" as a result. It is possible to change a "systemized institution." In the constitution, it is better to originally not have the Emperor Article.
When something is written in the constitution, it means that it is available for revision and amendments. There is the relationship between Japan and its Emperor neither too close to nor too remote from, and in this microcosm called Japan, there is an Emperor who never take any political actions. This is the Japanese Identity, and it is in the basics of our sense of community. "The Existence of the Emperor" in Japan, seen from the stability of the ruling system's point of view, is something that we can be proud of.
The presidential system in the United States of America, as seen from this ruling system's point of view, may be regarded as something that embodies democracy, but this is nothing compared with Japan. To make it short, even though we have no more than sloppy Prime Minister (I'm not referring only to the current person), the reason why this country still stay alive is what this country possesses a Prime Minister who remains only at the top of the political and administrational field. Although Prime Minister KAN has a strong attachment to the local inspection, I suspect that if he were to visit the stricken places, there would not be anybody with tears in their eyes. In fact, there may even be rocks thrown his way. The event of 3-11 is an opportunity that brings us to reconsider about the state of this country called Japan.
(This is the English translation of an article which originally appeared on the BBS "Hyakka-Somei" of CEAC on 1 April, 2011, and was posted on "CEAC Commentary" on 22 April, 2011.)
----------------- - - - -----------------
For more views and opinions in the backnumber of "CEAC Commentary," the latest of which are as follows, please refer to:
http://www.ceac.jp/e/commentary/backnumber.html
No.67 The Anti-Chinese Posture Illuminated in Japan-U.S. Summit Meeting
by SUGIURA Masaaki, Political Commentator
(28 February 2011)
No.66 East Asia Summit featured by the First Participation of U.S. and Russia
by ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Delegate for Japan to AALCO and former Professor of Tokai University
(31 December 2010)
No.65 How Japan Should Respond to Russia's V-J Day
by HAKAMADA Shigeki, Professor of Aoyama Gakuin University
(31 October 2010)
No.64 Two Salient Developments at the 17th ARF
by ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Delegate for Japan to AALCO and former Professor of Tokai University
(31 August 2010)
No.63 A New Development of Japan-China-ROK Summit as a Dispute Settlement Mechanism
by ISHIGAKI Yasuji, Delegate for Japan to AALCO and former Professor of Tokai University
(17 June 2010)
"CEAC Updates"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"CEAC Updates" introduces to you latest events, announcements and/or publications of CEAC.
Event
------------- - - - -------------
The 45th Policy Plenary Meeting (The 3rd CEAC-ISAC Joint Study Meeting) Held to Discuss "Necessity and Possibility of Common Currency in East Asia"
Taking advantage of the occasion of the 45th Policy Plenary Meeting of the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC), which was held on March 11th, 2011, at the conference room of the Japan Forum on International Relations, the 3rd CEAC-ISAC Joint Study Meeting cosponsored by CEAC and the International Academic Society for Asian Community (ISAC) was held. Prof. KONDO Takehiko, Professor of Meisei University, made a keynote report, which was followed by an active exchange of views among members of CEAC and ISAC.
For more, please refer to:
http://www.ceac.jp/e/policy-summary/045.html
====================================================================
Please send your comments and/or questions to:
info@ceac.jp
To customize your subscription, or unsubscribe, please refer to:
http://www.ceac.jp/e/e-letter/e-letter.htm
Officer in Charge: KIKUCHI Yona
The Council on East Asian Community
2-17-12-1301, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052 JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3584-2193
Fax: +81-3-3505-4406