Japan Not to Change State Financing of Emperor Rite

November 30, 2018

Tokyo--The Japanese government will not change its plans to use state funds for the coming Daijosai, a key ceremony for the new Emperor, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura said Friday.

Nishimura was speaking after Prince Akishino, the younger son of Emperor Akihito, signaled his opposition to public financing for Daijosai, a Shinto-linked ceremony, to be performed by Crown Prince Naruhito, the eldest son, in November 2019 after his accession to the throne in May that year.

"The government is not considering any new action," Nishimura told a news conference.

Speaking to reporters before his 53rd birthday on Friday, Prince Akishino questioned whether it is appropriate to use state funds for Daijosai, which he described as a "highly religious" event. Costs for the ceremony should be covered by the personal funds of the Imperial Family, he said.

Daijosai, in which a new Emperor offers prayers for the well-being of the people and a good harvest, is regarded as the most important enthronement-related ceremony he performs.

Critics claim that public financing for Daijosai, although held as an Imperial Family event, violates the separation of religion and state under Japan's post-World War II constitution.

It is very unusual for a member of the Imperial Family to speak out publicly against a government policy. Prince Akishino will be first in line to the throne after the Imperial succession in May.

Nishimura noted that the use of public funds for the coming Daijosai, following in the footsteps of the previous ceremony performed by Emperor Akihito in 1990, has already gained verbal understanding at a cabinet meeting.

"We believe that he (Prince Akishino) stated an absolutely personal opinion," Nishimura said. "It is unlikely to affect national politics."

Nishimura rejected the view that Prince Akishino's statement contravenes a constitutional ban on the Emperor, defined as the symbol of the state, being involved in government affairs.

Prince Akishino's remarks "will not affect national politics, so they do not raise any constitutional problem," he said.

The prince also expressed disappointment that his opinion has fallen on deaf ears at the Imperial Household Agency.

Nishimura said he has heard that the agency has already given the prince explanations on how Daijosai will be financed. He declined to comment further. Jiji Press