demeter918 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
demeter918) wrote2006-09-06 02:56 pm
demeter918) wrote2006-09-06 02:56 pm
Gender, a new Prince, and Japan
Princess Kiko has a baby boy, thus averting a so-called "succession crisis" in Japan.
There are times, really, that I fucking hate Japan. Or at least, when they're acting like such fucktards as to believe that a male heir is somehow, just somehow, better than a female heir. By whose standards? The conservatives? Some who think that the practice of concubines should be revived in order to replenish the imperial line? The Imperial Household Agency who have practically driven a women, who once had a flourishing and bright future in diplomatic relations, mad under their pressure to produce a male heir? The second prince? Who's philandering is well-known and not spoken of and who has criticized his older brother, the crown prince, for not doing his duty to his country? The conservative media, who continually criticizes Masako for not producing a male heir and her selfishness in not having more children?
From the beginning, I had known from an intellectual standpoint that there were many things different about Japan in regards to their treatment and thought of women, but this is the first time here I just want to scream. My starry-eyed view of Japan had faded a long time ago, but this, this just reminds me of why Japan is often criticized for it's sexism, racism, and classism.
... I'm going to go calm down and then rant about this a bit more coherently.
There are times, really, that I fucking hate Japan. Or at least, when they're acting like such fucktards as to believe that a male heir is somehow, just somehow, better than a female heir. By whose standards? The conservatives? Some who think that the practice of concubines should be revived in order to replenish the imperial line? The Imperial Household Agency who have practically driven a women, who once had a flourishing and bright future in diplomatic relations, mad under their pressure to produce a male heir? The second prince? Who's philandering is well-known and not spoken of and who has criticized his older brother, the crown prince, for not doing his duty to his country? The conservative media, who continually criticizes Masako for not producing a male heir and her selfishness in not having more children?
From the beginning, I had known from an intellectual standpoint that there were many things different about Japan in regards to their treatment and thought of women, but this is the first time here I just want to scream. My starry-eyed view of Japan had faded a long time ago, but this, this just reminds me of why Japan is often criticized for it's sexism, racism, and classism.
... I'm going to go calm down and then rant about this a bit more coherently.
no subject
And to be honest, WTF? Most of the public want Aiko as Empress. I mean, seriously. Everyone I talk to thinks she'd be fine as an Empress and are less than impressed by the talks and rants of 'preserving tradition'. And seriously, WHAT TRADITION? That law was made in 1947! Even if there weren't that many empresses, there sure wasn't a law about it!