A brief discussion of the Japanese Emperor System

Foreword

The Japanese Emperor System has a history of more than 2,000 years and has had a significant impact in Japan and the world. Especially after Japan's Meiji Restoration in 1868, Japanese militarists used the name of "loyalty to the emperor" and "holy war" to launch the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, and participated in the Eight-Power Allied Forces' invasion of China and the First World War. It created and provoked the "September 18th Incident" and "July 7th Incident", and launched a full-scale war of aggression against China and the Pacific War, which brought serious disasters to the people of China, Asia, Europe and the United States, and also plunged the Japanese people into dire straits.

After World War II, the Japanese emperor system once faced annihilation, but it was miraculously preserved. Although the position has changed over time and the situation is quite different, the emperor system still has a certain influence in Japan and abroad. Emperor Akihito ascended to power in January 1989 and received invitations to visit from almost all major powers. The Japanese authorities are planning to carry out more active royal diplomacy and use the influence of the Japanese royal family to quickly seek the status of a political power.

Why does the Japanese royal family still seem to have great vitality as a remnant of feudal society in today's era of rapid science and technology? Why do so many Japanese believe in Emperor Religion? Why does the Japanese ruling class still attach great importance to the political use of the emperor system? Why is there so much mystery surrounding the Emperor of Japan?

I will give some simple answers to these questions. I hope my answers will be beneficial to everyone.

1. The historical evolution of the emperor system

Although the emperor is the title of the emperor of Japan, the emperor of Japan did not exist in Japan at the beginning. Its emergence and development have gone through many years. complex historical evolution.

There are many myths and legends about the historical evolution of the emperor system in Japan, which subsequently went through three stages: ancient times, modern times, and the post-war emperor system.

(1) Myths and legends about the emperor system

Various legends about the emperor system are concentrated in Japan's earliest historical documents "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki" . "Nihonshu" is another of Japan's earliest extant history books. It was written in Chinese by Prince Toneri, Tai'an Wanlu and others in a chronological style. It has thirty volumes and was written in 720 AD. It narrates the creation of Japan to its unification. Myths, legends and historical events during the reign of the Emperor (ca. 690-697).

1. The myth that Japan is the Kingdom of God

The beginning of "Kojiki" clearly talks about "the beginning of the separation of heaven and earth." First, three major gods appeared: the main god of Tianzhiyuzhong is the lord of the center of the universe, representing the foundation of the universe; the god of Gaoyuyanchao is the god of birth and spirit, representing the generative power of the universe. These two gods are the ritual of yin and yang, and the god of birth, nest and sun are both single gods, and they are invisible gods.

Later, the legendary creation gods appeared, namely the brother and sister Ienaki and Ienami, and these two creation gods gave birth to the Japanese islands. The myth and legend of the creation of the Japanese islands does have an innocent side to Japanese mythology, but subsequent Japanese rulers tried their best to promote that since the land of Japan was born from the ancestors of the emperor, it should be controlled by the descendants of the emperor from generation to generation. Those who rule should have a long-lasting imperial destiny and a lineage for eternity. They even intensify their propaganda that Japan is the kingdom of God. They believe that they are superior to others, attempt to dominate foreign countries, dominate the world, and invade other countries. This is a wrong path.

2. The myth about the emperor as a god and Amaterasu.

The two creation gods "finished the birth of the land and reborn the gods." The most famous among them are Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Hayashio no Mikoto. Amaterasu rules the heavens, Tsukuyomi rules the sea, both gods are the gods of the sun and moon, and Hayazusao rules the world (the human world) as the god of storms, and is a hero in humanistic mythology.

Among the three gods, Amaterasu is the beautiful sun goddess and the highest commander-in-chief. She rules the kingdom of heaven, brings light to the world, and governs Takamagahara with outstanding skills, making the beautiful and fertile Takamagahara Production develops, the population increases, and people have enough food and clothing.

Promote that the Yamato nation is a nation chosen by God, and they are all descendants of Amaterasu. The Emperor is a descendant of the God who created the land of Japan. He should become the living god who rules Japan and is everything to the country. As the center of the throne, its rights are given by God, thus further elevating the theory of "divine right of kings".

3. The myth about the three artifacts

The three artifacts: the eight-foot magatama, the magical mirror and the Kusanagi sword. These three artifacts have become the three treasures that emperors of all generations have flaunted as orthodox. .

(2) The historical evolution of the emperor system

The emperor was originally one of the three emperors in Chinese mythology and legend. In the third century AD, Emperor Nintoku changed the title of the king to the emperor, and Japan began to officially use the title of emperor. In 607 AD, Emperor Suiko sent Ono Meiko as an envoy to China. The letter of credence submitted to the Sui Dynasty of our country began with "The Emperor of the East respects the Emperor of the West", which was the first time in Japanese history that the name of the emperor was officially used externally.

The period from AD 593 to 1192 was the period of establishment and development of the ancient Japanese emperor system.

In 645 AD, the reformists headed by Prince Nakadai launched a coup. After seizing the country, they carried out Daika reforms with great fanfare and established a centralized system with the emperor as the center, marking the establishment of the emperor system in ancient Japan. .

In 668 AD, Emperor Tenchi ascended the throne, moved the capital to Omi and issued the "Omi Order".

Afterwards, Emperor Tenmu ascended the throne, moved the capital to Asuka Jomohara Palace, issued the "Asuka Jomohara Separate Order", and formulated the eight-colored surnames, thus making the Tenchi and Tenmu dynasties more stable, and the emperor's autocratic authority was further established, and the ancient emperor system was achieved. To be stable.

In 707 AD, Emperor Genmei ascended the throne, moved the capital to Heijo-kyo, and promulgated the "Taiho Order" and "Yoro Order". Japan entered the Nara period, and the ancient emperor system entered its heyday.

After 1192, the ancient emperor system declined day by day, and the power of the country gradually fell into the hands of the shogun. During the eras of the Kamakura and Muromachi shogunates, dual politics emerged in Japan. The emperor's political, economic, and military status became increasingly weak, but he was still formally the supreme ruler of Japan. National decrees were ultimately implemented through the emperor's decrees. But by the Edo Shogunate period, all power belonged to the Tokugawa Shogunate, and the Tokugawa Shoguns became the supreme ruler of Japan. The emperor could only decide the era name according to the previous regulations. Implementing an autocratic monarchy with the shogun as the core, the shogun holds the emperor in power and controls the world.

On January 3, 1868, the overthrow faction launched a coup and promulgated the Emperor's Edict "Grand Order for the Restoration of Imperial Government", returning all power to the Emperor. Later, the "Constitution of the Empire of Japan" was promulgated and the capital was moved to Tokyo established a monarchical rule centered on the emperor, beginning the modern emperor system period.

With the rapid development of capitalism in Japan, it gradually embarked on the path of militarism, and the Japanese emperor system turned into fascist militarism. The emperor system launched a series of aggressive wars until the final unconditional surrender. After World War II, the absolutist emperor system was transformed into the symbolic emperor system, and the Japanese Constitution stipulated the implementation of a parliamentary monarchy constitutional system.

II , Royal Politics

Japanese royal politics has a distinct Japanese color, and its appearance is shrouded in mystery. The political power of the royal family has waxed and waned several times, and its role in Japanese political life has changed greatly.

In Japanese history, the emperor system can be divided into ancient emperor system, modern emperor system and symbolic emperor system according to time and political system, that is, the emperor system of slave society and the emperor system of feudal society and bourgeoisie. The Emperor's System and the Post-war Symbol of the Emperor's System. The political system and the power of the emperor varied greatly from period to period.

(1) Ancient Emperor System

Japan’s ancient Emperor System included two periods: slave society and feudal society. **Over 1,200 years. Because Japan's slave society lasted only a short time, it entered the emperor system in the middle and modern times, that is, the emperor system of Japanese feudal absolutism. This period began with the Daika Reform and ended with the Meiji Restoration. Among them, the emperor's exclusive power lasted only more than 200 years. For a long time, the nobles and shoguns were in charge, and the emperor was in a subordinate position.

The Dahwa Reform was a symbol of Japan's transition from a slave society to a feudal society. Daika is the reign name of Emperor Kotoku. This innovation occurred in 645 AD. The Daika Reform declared that "there are no two suns in the sky and no two masters in the earth", making the emperor above the law and becoming the supreme ruler of Japan. Based on the official reform principle of "removing old positions, establishing hundreds of new officials, and assigning ranks to official positions", they successively formulated the "Dabao Law Order" and "Youlao Law Order", and established a brand new royal bureaucracy system. It includes two parts: the rank system. In this way, the emperor became a feudal monarch based on laws and decrees.

(2) Modern Constitutional Monarchy and Emperor System

The modern Emperor System started from the Meiji Restoration in 1868 and ended with Japan’s surrender in 1945. In the past 80 years, the Emperor System developed into a constitutional monarchy. The autocratic emperor system.

After the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, Japan became a major political issue for vicious imperialism. The United States retained the Japanese emperor system out of the need to pursue its Far East policy and Cold War strategy. However, in response to international public opinion calling for the trial of Emperor Hirohito and the abolition of the Japanese imperial family, in accordance with the Constitution of Japan that was implemented in 1947, the autocratic emperor system of the modern constitutional monarchy was changed into a symbolic emperor system, and the emperor became the country and the nation of Japan. The symbol of Japanese national unity.

3. Imperial Economy

The strong imperial property is the economic foundation that ensures the supreme authority and great power of the imperial family. It is the material foundation on which the emperor system depends for its survival. It is also the basis for the emperor’s intervention and The magic weapon that controls the political situation. Understanding and studying Japan's imperial property can deepen your understanding of the imperial family and Japan's political and military systems.

The economic history of Japan’s imperial family can be counted from the promulgation of the 17 Articles of the Ancient Constitution by Prince Shotoku, the regent of Emperor Suiko (Empress) in 604 AD. By 1992, it has a history of 1,388 years.

The economic history of Japan’s imperial history in 1386 can be roughly divided into four periods: the ancient emperor system and the modern emperor system of Meiji, Taisho, Showa and Heisei.

1. The imperial economy during the ancient emperor system (604-1868)

In 604 AD, Prince Shotoku promulgated 17 articles of the ancient constitution, declaring that "the country does not have two monarchs. "The people have no two masters, the first one is to herald the people, and the king is the main one." This initially established the ancient emperor system, which stipulated that the emperor could enjoy everything. In 645 AD, the reformists headed by Prince Nakadai launched a coup to implement the "Dahua Reform" and complete the ancient emperors. The "Reform Edict" they issued declared: "The Emperor is the monarch of heaven and earth and dominates all peoples.

"It stipulates that the emperor is the owner of all land and slaves in Japan. The land in Japan is the emperor's public land, and all the people are the emperor's subjects.

2. Imperial economy in the Meiji period (1868-1912) < /p>

The Meiji period was the founding period of the imperial family's economy. Especially after the Meiji 20s (1888), the imperial family's property expanded rapidly, laying a solid foundation for the imperial family's property.

The imperial family in the Meiji period. Property comes from the following sources:

Collecting state-owned (official) property

Probbing war reparations from China

Transferring large amounts of land and forests

< p>3. The Imperial Family Economy in the Taisho Period (1912-1926)

The Taisho Period was a period in which the imperial family’s property continued to expand. The royal family’s property ended the situation of completely relying on the treasury for its consumption sources, and began to rely on partial consumption The stage of forestry management and securities income. The main methods to expand the royal property at this stage are:

Further adjustment of the royal land

Vigorous management of forestry

Issuing funds

4. The Imperial Economy in the Early Showa Period (1926-1945)

The early Showa Period refers to the period when Emperor Hirohito registered and Japan surrendered unconditionally. This period was a period of continuous economic crisis in Japan. , and finally launched the war of aggression against China and the Pacific War, until the period of complete failure.

During this period, the war of aggression greatly increased the property accumulation and current expenses of the Japanese royal family, and the income from the fixed assets of the royal family. There is also growth.

The management of the royal land is "rationalized"

Making war profits to expand the income of the royal forest

The large acceptance of marketable securities is the reason for the increase in income

5. The Imperial Family’s Economy in the Late Showa Period (1945-1991)

The late Showa Period was a new period for the Imperial Family after World War II. It was a period of disintegration of the old Imperial Family’s property and enjoyment of new preferential treatment. .

4. Imperial Military

The Japanese imperial military is a unique military system in the world, and the relationship between the emperor and military leaders is extremely complicated.

In Yamato, a slave state formed in the middle of the third century AD, the supreme leaders of the army were held by the Emperor's confidants, the Otomo clan and the Mononobe clan, and they enjoyed hereditary power, thus becoming a powerful family.

After the Daika Reform implemented in 645 AD, the emperor was called the "Meigogami" and the "Mengjin God". He was a god with extremely high authority who came into the world as a mortal and acted as a centralized authority with the emperor at the center. The repressive machine of the feudal state established the Ministry of War under the direct administration of the emperor.

Starting from the Kamakura shogunate, military leaders proclaimed themselves generals to conquer barbarians and established the military regime "shogunate" to monopolize the power of the country. In order to maintain feudal rule, a strict hierarchical samurai system was established, making Japan a feudal samurai country with the emperor as its nominal head.

During the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the military system of feudal society was reformed, the hereditary wealth privileges of samurai were abolished, and 310,000 samurai were issued different amounts of monetary entitlement bonds according to the samurai rank, so that the samurai class was declared collapse. At the same time, the "Conscription Order" was issued to establish the emperor's army, the "Imperial Army."

In order to get rid of the economic crisis and political crisis from 1929 to 1933, the military fascist forces, with the support of Emperor Hirohito, took control of the cabinet and boldly embarked on the road of launching a large-scale aggressive war, first launching the " The September 18th Incident invaded and occupied the three northeastern provinces of China. Then in 1937, the "July 7th Incident" was launched, setting off a full-scale war of aggression against China. Then the Pacific War was launched in 1941, which finally led to the unconditional surrender in 1945.

After the United States occupied Japan in the name of the Allies, it disbanded all the 7.2 million "Imperial Army" in accordance with the "Potsdam Declaration" and the new post-war constitution. However, in June 1950, the United States launched a war of aggression against Korea. Later, Japan was asked to first establish a police reserve force of 75,000 people. On this basis, it developed into an army with 244,000 people and modern advanced equipment. The military expenditure in 1986 was approximately 22 billion US dollars, accounting for 10% of the GDP. 1.004% of the total, becoming the second largest military power of capitalism after the United States.

Unlike before the war, the emperor lost his status as the supreme commander of the Japanese military and existed only as a "symbol of Japan." The supreme commander of the military was the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.