Emperor's New Year greeting event canceled due to quake

That would have been the perfect opportunity for the Imperial family to give earthquake victims words of encouragement. "Nope. Can't do the New Year greeting this year. It's supposed to be pointless. Can't go starting useful greetings. No, siree."

Exactly. Should have just adjusted the greeting to fit the situation. Warm message from the Emperor soothes many.

Interesting...

His father would have said something appropriate, he knew his responsibility to 'his people.'

That would have been the perfect opportunity for the Imperial family to give earthquake victims words of encouragement.

First, he has already issued a statement to give support for the victims. Second, how would it look if people are cheering, while Japanese people are suffering?

Did you think about that? No, siree.

Smart move.

how would it look if people are cheering, while Japanese people are suffering?

You have a quite poor opinion of Japanese people and their sense of TPO.

My guess is that they’ll visit soon.

glad to see that the emperor's power is based only on TATEMAE

It is the appropriate reaction that most people will accept in a positive way.

You can't have lived through the pandemic or any other natural disaster and not learned about Jishuku.

自粛 (jishuku), a Japanese term that means self-restraint or self-imposed restraint. Jishuku is often observed in the context of natural disasters or other national tragedies, where people voluntarily refrain from public celebrations, entertainment, or other festive activities out of respect for the victims and their families, and to show solidarity in times of collective hardship.

It's just what people do.

And to me it seems like a perfectly elegant way of expressing support.

The many who wrote out against the emperor and his decision for the respect of the people who were affected by the quake are writing from a Western viewpoint and which is selfish. Asian views and Western views are vastly different and what works in the west doesn't always work for the people of the East and visa versa.

Condolences and prayers to all those who lost their lives and or were injured during this natural disaster.

justaskig is bang on. Japanese people will refrain from routine events under unfortunate circumstances. For example, a nengajo will not be sent to a family that has recently suffered the loss of a family member. The Emperor has addressed the quake and will undoubtedly visit the sites when it becomes possible.

justasking: "Condolences and prayers to all those who lost their lives and or were injured during this natural disaster."

Funny you should offer such things, because the people criticizing the decision by the IHA are saying it would have been the perfect opportunity for the Emperor and Empress -- mere symbols with no power beyond their philanthropy, which I respect -- to... you know... express condolences and prayers. The greatest moments of the Emperor and Empress are when they go to affected areas and meet the people and help out how they can. No one is saying they should have held a big party to smile and wave from behind glass, but they could have used it as a way to reach out to those suffering during this very hard time. There is nothing at all in that that would go against the culture you describe others as not knowing anything about, before you did what those people had wished the Emperor would have done.

No biggie. I’m more concerned for Japan as a whole and the quake victims. I can care less about the royalty. They’re just figureheads IMO.

Smith Japan

justasking: "Condolences and prayers to all those who lost their lives and or were injured during this natural disaster."

Funny you should offer such things, because the people criticizing the decision by the IHA are saying it would have been the perfect opportunity for the Emperor and Empress -- mere symbols with no power beyond their philanthropy, which I respect -- to... you know... express condolences and prayers.

Smith Japan, they were and are offering their condolences in a quiet and sincere way of the Japanese by canceling their New Year Greetings. I too, was offering my condolences and or prayers in a quiet way by writing them. What works for you does not always work for others.

On that note, I wish you a safe and Happy New Year and beyond.