HIROHOTO DIED IN 1989.

You’re accusing me of ignorance, when your whole point is, who the hell cares what THIS Emperor has done, past Emperors were all jerks? Actually, and I admit I don’t have time to read every word of this article, I didn’t see one word about pre-Meiji Emperors. I think you’d have to go back to the 800’s or 900’s to find serious power vested in the personal hands of the Emperor.

At any rate, I could cite a litany of ills by various kings of England, including ones well before the House of Windsor, or committed in their name. They “oversaw” all sorts of wars, of course. There’s not a real point citing the French monarchy. The Ptolemies of Egypt were famously incestuous as well as sitting atop a complete tyranny. I’m sure there were lots of Chinese Emperors who were jerks. And? What of it?

One of the thing that most annoys me about Herbert Bix’s ideological crusade is his presenting the Emperor as personally appointing prime ministers “aided” by the Genro. I am a citizen of the Dominion of Canada. I have studied the systems of government of Canada and the United Kingdom. I know all about how “advice” by prime ministers works for the selection of Governor Generals, Senators or people to be elevated to the House of Lords, etc. Sarah Palin was recently accused of believing the Queen of England personally commands the armed forces of the United Kingdom. This may or may not have been true – the claimant hates her guts – but it was meant to make her once again a target of complete mockery. That should tell you something.

If the subject is THIS INDIVIDUAL EMPEROR’S RESPONSIBILITY, then you’re way off base calling me ignorant. If the subject is THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL JAPANESE EMPERORS COLLECTIVELY, then it has nothing to do with what I wrote. Take your pick.

Ample evidence of Hirohito’s power and actions with a good dose of education regarding the role of the past emperors, as well as Meiji, before that of Hirohito.

Please learn more regarding a subject, and think, before you write about it.