Prince says public shouldn’t pay for rite Japan
Japan’s Prince Akishino says a highly religious ritual that is part of next year’s succession ceremonies should be paid for privately by the imperial family, and has questioned the government’s decision to use public money.
Emperor Akihito’s younger son spoke about the contentious issue in a news conference recorded for his 53rd birthday yesterday.
Akihito plans to abdicate next year and will be succeeded by Crown Prince Naruhito. Akishino would then become first in line of succession.
Akishino said that using public funds for the Daijosai, the first communion the new emperor performs with Shinto gods, was questionable, because Japan’s constitution separates religion and state.
The ritual is expected in midNovember next year, and the government has announced that it will cover the cost, following a precedent set at the time of Akihito’s succession 30 years ago. The cost of that rite alone was 2.25 billion yen (NZ$28 million).
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said the government, after an examination by a panel of experts, had concluded that the rite was too religious to be considered an official duty of the emperor but was a key part of the succession ceremony and therefore deserved government funding.
Members of the royal family rarely about their views. Japanese speak out