December 23 is the Emperor’s Birthday and a National Holiday. The Emperor holds a garden party in spring and autumn every year, and invites 2,000 distinguished guests from a variety of different walks of life. At the garden party held this autumn, guest YAMAMOTO Taro, a member of the House of Councilors, handed the Emperor a letter. Proclaiming his anti-nuclear power stance, Yamamoto was elected for the first time to the House of Councilors in an election held this July. He explained to the press about the contents of the letter which conveyed information about the effects of the accident in the Fukushima nuclear power plant: on the damage to the health of children and on the conditions of the workers there. Many Diet members criticized him for his conduct saying things like: it was a “political use of the Emperor” and a “political performance.” In the constitution it is written that the Emperor shall be the symbol of the state and the people, and not have any political function. The Imperial Household Agency commented that it was simply common sense to refrain from such conduct. Yamamoto later apologized, but some people view his conduct as being the same as that of TANAKA Shozo, a former member of the House of Representatives, who made a direct appeal to the Emperor during the Meiji era. Attempting to save farmers who were suffering from toxins issuing from a factory at the Ashio copper mine in Tochigi Prefecture, Shozo challenged the government of the day for having promoted this development without any consideration of the environment. The view is that Yamamoto has acted in a similar fashion; opposing the government’s plan to restart nuclear power stations despite the enormous damage in Fukushima. However the Emperor Meiji had political power and it was likely that heavy punishments would be dealt to those making direct appeals. Shozo resigned from being a Diet member before carrying out the act, and, ready for the worst, ran towards the Emperor’s carriage, but was captured on the spot. On the Restoration of Sovereignty Day ceremony held in April, the participants, including Prime Minister ABE Shinzo shouted, “Long live the Emperor!” when the Emperor and Empress withdrew. Debate concerning the political use of the Imperial family continues. ( From January issue 2014 / 2014年1月号より）