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Imperial Household Agency chief concerned over prince's remark+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Jan. 12_(Kyodo) _ Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa expressed concern Thursday about remarks made by Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, criticizing a government panel on imperial succession that proposed allowing females and their descendants to ascend Japan's imperial throne. Haketa told a press conference he "cannot help but be concerned as various remarks have emerged since the beginning of this year," and added, "Frankly, I'm really not sure how to react." Haketa's comments came after the monthly magazine Bungei Shunju's February edition, which went on sale Tuesday, reported the prince as saying the panel had rushed to a conclusion that would lead to "a drastic change in the 2,665-old tradition and history" of handing on the throne only to heirs who have emperors on their father's side. Based on the panel's proposal in November, the government is planning to submit a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during the regular Diet session to begin Jan. 20. The law, enacted in 1947, allows only male heirs who have emperors on their father's side to reign. No male heir has been born in the royal family for the last 40 years, and Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako have only one female child, Princess Aiko. Haketa stressed that the issue involving revision of the law should be dealt with by the Cabinet and the Diet. In Japan, imperial family members are currently forbidden to interfere in politics. "It is appropriate that imperial family members refrain from making comments" on the matter, he said. Haketa said he met with Prince Tomohito on Jan. 5 and told him what he thinks, just as he did on a similar occasion last year, but admitted that their ideas differed on some points. The prince expressed similar ideas on imperial succession in a Sept. 30 newsletter of a welfare organization he heads. |