This article examines one strand of postwar Japanese anti-imperial activism and left-leaning political discourse through reporting on the “No Emperor System” demonstration in Kichijōji, criticism of the emperor system found in a book by Kiyomi Tsujimoto, remarks attributed to Shuk-Ok Shin, and a lecture by Shin Hak-sun.
It reflects on the historical significance of the Imperial Household, the role of imperial diplomacy, comparisons with European royal houses, and the place of abolitionist arguments within Japanese society.
It is a piece that organizes key issues surrounding Hantenren, the Kichijōji protest, imperial diplomacy, Kiyomi Tsujimoto, and Shin Hak-sun.

2019-03-15
On June 3, the “June 3 Committee for the Demonstration Against the Emperor System,” whose main base was the left-wing group Hantenren, the Liaison Committee for the Anti-Emperor System Movement, held an event around JR Kichijōji Station in Musashino, Tokyo.

The chapter I posted on 2018-04-18 under the title,
“Is a person so easily attacked not only for being Korean, but also for being a woman.
Kiyomi Tsujimoto as well.
Mizuho Fukushima as well.”
has now entered the top ten in goo search rankings.
What follows is the continuation of the previous chapter.

●Democratic Party lawmaker Kiyomi Tsujimoto calls for the abolition of the emperor system.

In Tsujimoto Kiyomi’s book Kiyomi Surude!! Shinjinrui ga Fune o Dasu!, she uses the following strongly negative language concerning the Emperor, the symbol of the Japanese state.

“Don’t you find it physiologically disgusting.
I mean those people, that system, that family.
I do not even want to breathe the same air nearby.”

“They like to force life lessons and morality on people.
But things like that are directly connected to the creepiness of the Emperor and that family, aren’t they.
Will the emperor system disappear someday.”

“As for the Constitution, I am now called a ‘defender of the Constitution,’ but to tell the truth, I think Articles 1 through 8 are unnecessary.
I have long said the emperor system should be abolished.
Abolish the emperor system, have a woman become prime minister, and abolish the security arrangement.
With these three, Japan can make a major turn.”

“Within the normalization of relations with North Korea, which should be prioritized even before solving the abduction issue, postwar compensation will naturally come up.
Japan once colonized the Korean Peninsula and even took away its language, yet it has paid North Korea no compensation at all, so that is only natural.
Without treating that as part of the same set, it is not fair merely to keep saying, ‘Return the nine, return the ten!’”

The writer holds a strongly critical view of Kiyomi Tsujimoto and Mizuho Fukushima.
However, no categorical claim is made here regarding any individual’s ethnic origin.

Shuk-Ok Shin, a supporter of Tsujimoto who has advocated Okinawan independence, said in reference to herself,
“Is a person so easily attacked not only for being Korean, but also for being a woman.
Kiyomi Tsujimoto as well.
Mizuho Fukushima as well.”

▼Kichijōji thrown into turmoil by a demonstration calling for the abolition of the emperor system.

On June 3, the “June 3 Committee for the Demonstration Against the Emperor System,” whose main base was the left-wing group Hantenren, the Liaison Committee for the Anti-Emperor System Movement, held the “The Anti-Emperor-System Demonstration Returns” event around JR Kichijōji Station in Musashino, Tokyo, and in addition to the more than one hundred participants mobilized by Hantenren, the streets were thrown into turmoil by the presence of hundreds of riot police, security personnel, public security officials, and members of right-wing groups protesting the demonstration.

What kind of human composition does this group actually have.

Countries that have royal houses are respected as countries with history, and imperial diplomacy contributes to friendship between nations.
Princess Mako also visited Bhutan, deepened friendship with the king and others there, and increased the number of pro-Japan countries.
There are, of course, various opinions as to how many Koreans view the existence of the Emperor in Japan.
Europe too has many royal houses of distinguished pedigree, yet most have histories of only several hundred years, whereas there is no other royal house in the world that has continued for 2,600 years, which gives it authority as the world’s oldest royal house.
It is also an element recognized by Europeans who place importance on the status of royalty and nobility.

●Democratic Party lawmaker Shin Hak-sun seeks local suffrage for resident Koreans in Japan.

The 214th Journalists’ and Citizens’ Seminar hosted by the Central Headquarters of Mindan was held on the 26th at the Korean Central Hall in Minato, Tokyo, and Democratic Party Diet member Shin Hak-sun gave a lecture on the proper form of Japan-Korea friendship and goodwill.
After serving as head of the Japan bureau of the Chosun Ilbo, Representative Shin ran for the House of Councillors in 2004 on the proportional representation ticket endorsed by the then Democratic Party.