royals
The Japanese imperial family is reorganizing itself
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko
© Dana Press
After the Japanese royals were repeatedly criticized for a lack of transparency in the past, the imperial family is now taking action in terms of public relations.
The Japanese imperial family is considered to be extremely conservative. Therefore, the Imperial Household Agency has kept a low profile in relation to the royals in the past. But the lack of information has caused resentment among the population. Ex-princess Mako, 31, also had to experience this firsthand. In 2017, she got engaged to Kei Komuro, 31, but her family didn’t like that she’d gone commoner. It was not until October 2021 that the two, who now live together in New York, said yes – amid angry protests from the Japanese people. The Imperial Court Office only seemed to fuel the scandal surrounding Mako with its prevailing lack of transparency.
According to the Japan Times, this will no longer happen in the future because the Imperial Household Agency is opening a public relations office.
Japanese royals want to reveal more about themselves in the future
The new office is expected to refresh the agency’s sober website, which has so far been the only direct interface with the public, and to consider other information delivery options. Social media will also be used more in the future to proactively publish information about the imperial family. The new press office will initially employ nine people, according to the newspaper report.
“We want to ensure that we can provide a more comprehensive picture of the activities and personalities of the imperial members in a timely manner than in the past,” said Yasuhiko Nishimura, head of the agency, according to the Japan Times. Another senior agency official stressed that “proactively sharing correct information would help counteract the bashing” of the imperial family. Nonetheless, the Court Office remains cautious about the introduction of social media, fearing that direct contributions from members of the imperial family could provoke unexpected reactions.
Crown Prince Akishino called for more transparency
Crown Prince Akishino, 57, Mako’s father, advocated such a change late last year. After all, he experienced first-hand how much the limited communication between the imperial family and the public influenced the reporting about his daughter and her partner. It is necessary to disseminate accurate information about the imperial family, he said at a press conference on the occasion of his birthday, adding: “I firmly believe that there is such a possibility.” His wish has now come true.
Source used: japantimes.co.jp