With a bow and a hand shake, Canada welcomes Japanese emperor
Published Monday July 6th, 2009
OTTAWA - Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon and International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda were prepared to bow as the 125th holder of Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne disembarked from his plane Friday afternoon.
But in a modern, non-assuming manner that has become a trademark for Emperor Akihito, he offered the uncertain Canadian ministers a royal palm to be pumped for a handshake.
``Well, the emperor extended his hand and in that way one acknowledges his choice,'' said Cannon.
Oda, who is of Japanese ancestry, also bowed, but in the excitement of the moment, Cannon said he could not recall.
``The bow came naturally to me,'' she said.
The confusion is understandable. It's not every day the ministers get to meet the descendant one of the world's longest-lasting monarchies, dating back more than 2,600 years to Jimmu in the seventh century BC, who until relatively recently, would have been considered divine.
For some old-fashioned Japanese, Akihito, who was accompanied by the Empress Michiko, is still a god-king.
A spokesperson for the Japanese embassy said the proper protocol is to bow, but it is also proper to follow the emperor's lead. It also appropriate to engage the emperor in conversation of he starts the discussion.
Dignitaries weren't alone in getting instruction on the dealings with the emperor. The embassy also sent out an advisory informing the media they are ``not permitted to call out to Their Majesties nor point a microphone at them.''
Akihito has not been in Canada since 1953, when he was the heir to the throne, but is making up for lost time with an extended visit lasting 12 days, in which he will visit Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria, meeting with Governor General Michaelle Jean and the prime minister.
The official reason for the visit is to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of Canada-Japan diplomatic relations.
But the visit will have special meaning for the 300,000 Canadians of Japanese ancestry who have never had a chance to see Their Majesties in person.
Oda noted that Canada's relationship with its Japanese ancestry residents had ``a hiccup'' during the Second World War, when they were rounded up and placed in internment camps.
Although she was born in Thunder Bay, Ont., Oda admitted it was a ``very special'' moment for her, but not so special as it will be for her mother when she gets to meet the emperor in the next few days.
``In fact she's home watching. She's very excited. You can appreciate for that generation _ she's 86 _ they still have that respect for the emperor and empress,'' Oda said.
Beyond symbolism, Angela Nakamura Hollinger of the Canada-Japan Society in British Columbia said the visit will open some doors to commerce between the two countries.
``Canada doesn't have a media presence at all in Japan, so this is very important in raising awareness of Canada there, especially for businesses,'' she said. She added that the emperor visiting Canada when swine flu is still present could give some reticent Japanese tourists the courage to chance a visit themselves.
Given the sheltered nature of official visits, it is unclear how much of the emperor and empress ordinary Canadians will get to see, despite the length of the visit.
If they did, what they would find a royal couple with a somewhat independent streak and very few royal airs.
Akihito broke tradition by marrying a commoner, as did his son.
During the World Cup in 2002, Akihito was advised against visiting South Korea for the World Cup, but encouraged Prince Takamado to make the trip in the hope that it would bring the bitter historical rivals closer together. Indeed, on his 68th birthday, Akihito surprised many by openly acknowledging his Korean roots.
``I, on my part, feel a certain kinship with Korea, given the fact that it is recorded in the Chronicles of Japan that the mother of Emperor Kammu was of the line of King Muryong of Paekche,'' he said.
He reportedly lives a quiet, simple life. He arises at 6:30 each morning, watches the news and then goes for a walk with the empress around the closed Imperial Palace in downtown Tokyo. Afternoons are filled by official business.
In his spare time, he works on his biological studies and has become a world expert on the humble goby fish, having published 38 peer-reviewed papers on the subject.
Evenings are filled with official receptions and banquets, after which the couple are said to enjoy watching nature programs on television.
And like most parents, he believes his son does not bring his granddaughter around enough, going so far as to issue a rare public rebuke to Naruhito, the future emperor.
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