I’ve been plotting strategies for my Girls Can’t WHAT? Revolution for quite some time now, and ladies, I think it is high time we launch this thing. As I opened my browser this morning, Google’s headlines smacked me with “Japan’s Princess Kiko has given birth to a baby boy, potentially resolving the royal family’s succession crisis.” Crisis – did ya get that? It was a “crisis”. Give me a freaking break!
In case you aren’t up to speed on this breaking news, Japan has been anxiously awaiting the birth of Princess Kiko’s third child, who was delivered by C-section yesterday morning. The Princess already has two daughters, but by Japanese Law, women aren’t allowed to rule. In fact, there hasn’t been a female on the throne in Japan since Gosakuramachi, who reigned from 1762 to 1770. Only seven women have ever sat on the throne in Japan. Ladies, we’re going to change that.
So what’s the big deal? The Japanese constitution banned women from taking over the throne in 1947. (1947! Sounds to me like some prince-wanna-be got a little nervous at the birth rate of females in his royal family so he passed a law to make sure they didn’t have a shot.) Ever since the birth of Princess Kiko’s first daughter in 2001, there has been heavy discussion on whether the document should be amended to allow women to take the throne. Japanese conservatives have
been hoping Princess Kiko would give birth to a boy bringing the debate to an end. Yesterday they got their wish. Royal baby #3 was born with a magic wand.
It is absolutely unbelievable that this issue even needs to be debated. The next Girls Can’t WHAT? Revolution Guideline will be “Choose Your Battles Wisely.” I’m choosing this battle. I may be an American citizen with no power or influence in Japan, but I can still wage a war. This is a battle cry for all Japanese girls to stand up and fight. I’m going to need some warriors on the home front for this one. I’m calling all women and girls from Japan to report to duty. I’m gonna need lots of information on how your government works, who has power, etc. I’m open to suggestions for strategy as well. I want to see a woman ascend to the throne of Japan! I will open up boards in the forums, setup newsletters or whatever I can do to help get the word out and recruit as much help as needed to make this happen. Bring it on!
2 comments
AmyStephen
Royal baby #3 was born with a magic wand. lol
Culture is a strange thing. I would be interested in the viewpoint of Japanese women who might explain this in a way that makes some sense. I am guessing it has to do with family name rather than the “blood line.” American culture is much like that.
The Jewish linage is passed through blood. That is how prophecy could predict that Christ would be born of the line of David. Mary was the blood line to David and Christ was born without ability to sin since that is passed on by the father.
We only have our American viewpoints, and so everything we consider is considered through that lens. I wonder what the perspective is of women in Japan.
kel1
I read about this… I was looking through headlines the other day and noticed this!! I was also quite shocked at the “crisis” it was to have only females born to the royal family. Crisis about girls being born in *China* I’ve heard about, but in Japan?? I was stunned. :-O One woman in the article I read on a news site said that she wondered if either of these women (Kiko and the other princess, can’t recall her name, sorry) were ever truly happy, as they were simply being told “have a baby boy or you have no value.” It’s very sad to have one’s worth determined by whether or not you “produce” a male heir…when HELLO??? It’s the MALE who determines the SEX OF THE CHILD. The MALE!! In this day and age…don’t these people understand genetics at ALL?? :brow Do you see anyone getting upset about Prince So and So not fathering a male heir? OH, NO. It’s “Princess” so and so who didn’t “produce a male heir.” Well, the woman can’t produce by herself! X( And the pressure and preening this poor little boy will be subjected to his whole life…sheesh. Along with the pressure on the mother and father to raise their child to be utterly perfect in an imperfect world and society…well, it just boggles my mind to think about it.
Oy…I’d better stop now. Wouldn’t want any Royals to get upset with me. After all, I’m JUST a GIRL.