A warm and sunny Wednesday. Cant it really be December? Yes, it is 23rd of December and a national holiday right before the actual Christmas vacation. On this day, the current emperor, presumably an important figurehead of Japan Mr. Akihito (76) was born. So it is Emperor's birthday! Happy birthday Akihito!♪
The holiday is a well earned present for every Japanese hard-working citizen. But in fact, the image I perceived was that most did not acknowledge the reason why they had a day off. Instead of celebrating Akihito's b-day, masses of people gathered to Bay of Beppu to enjoy Christmas Fireworks Fantasia (which I think was a lot of fun).
Akihito's heir will have his (or her!) birthday definitely on another day, not on the 23rd, right before Christmas. It will be interesting to see what kind of celebration the new birthday will be connected with. Imagine, for example, if the new emperor's birthday is somewhere between March and February, would it change the event in Beppu to "Beppu Easter Fireworks Fantasia".
What else happened on Emperor's birthday? These military-look-alike cars appeared in every major city of Japan. Who they are, and why they drive around the city center making a terrible noise with their megaphones all day along? They are the extreme right wing party, the political group that respects old system and values, and wishes to get back the times where Emperor is head of state and holds the ultimate power. They shouted many messages, one for instance was like this:
This day is close to Christmas. Maybe everyone's happy because of that. But don't forget that it is Emperor's birthday!!...
What they really would love to see in Japan is: All the power to Emperor and no dependence on America, (kick out the American military bases in Japan). Foreigners, particulary Chinese, and Koreans aren't their dearest friends. Finns maybe ok.
Now, what I baldly wonder about the extreme right group is how can they admire a lifestyle and a society in which they have never lived? For them the old system is a dream. But like all dreams, once they come true they're no more dreams. This metaphor might not be the best fit, but if the extreme right got their ideal system as a present from Santa they would be happy only for a while. Receiving same present next year would be boring.
Judging by the reaction of the people in the street (or no reaction), no one really cares what they say. Moreover, the political blabber is so unclear that it's difficult to understand even one tried hard. Hmm... Does the Emperor care about these?
