The People’s Emperor: Democracy and the Japanese Monarchy, 1945–1995

Harvard East Asian Monographs #211

by Kenneth J. Ruoff

Few institutions are as well suited as the monarchy to provide a window on postwar Japan. The monarchy, which is also a family, has been significant both as a political and as a cultural institution.

This comprehensive study analyzes numerous issues, including the role of individual emperors in shaping the institution, the manner in which the emperor’s constitutional position as symbol has been interpreted, the emperor’s intersection with politics through ministerial briefings, memories of Hirohito’s wartime role, nationalistic movements in support of Foundation Day and the reign-name system, and the remaking of the once sacrosanct throne into a “monarchy of the masses” embedded in the postwar culture of democracy. The author stresses the monarchy’s “postwarness,” rather than its traditionality.

Genres: History, Japan, Nonfiction, Japanese History

360 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2002

About the author

Kenneth J. Ruoff is Professor of History and Director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Portland State University.

Reviews

[John Goodell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible portrait of the Japanese royal family post-World War II. Ruoff shows superbly how the passive change in the symbolic significance and weltanschauung of emperors Hirohito and Akihito in the aftermath of Japan's reconstruction helped to craft the country as a pacifist, constructive nation. The efforts of the imperial family encouraged and helped facilitate the modernization that catapulted Japan's economy to #2 in the world.

However, Ruoff also uncovers the classic Japanese trick of re-making their own tradition-in this case of casting emperor Hirohito as a pacifist who was pro-peace during the war period (which is far from the truth). We see a similar scheme at work later on when the role of the royal family is compared to pre-Meiji times, yet many Japanese realize they do not even have a sense of what that 'traditional' role for their emperor should be. It wasn't until the Meiji era that the emperor began to play an active role in politics, yet he/she was largely disconnected from the politics of the country in almost all periods of Japanese history prior to that.

[Jonathon McKenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating (if at times dry) read! An interesting look at the role of monarchy in the late 20th century (aspects can be pulled into 21st). Comparisons to others constitutional monarchies are interesting and, to my eyes, bear out. As we roll through the 21st century, the continuing re-invention of these roles will be fascinating to watch.

[Benemint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating research. Nothing will show the "postwarness" than the tenno system.

[Samuel B. Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! BANZAIIII!!!