So, the Imperial Household Agency has agreed to let Li Xinping, the probable successor to the presidency of the PRC, meet the Emperor…without giving one-month in advance notice (as is customary). I find it rather interesting that the unrelenting bureaucrats (or cloaked shadows, as I like to think of them) of the Imperial Household Agency have actually agreed to let the Emperor out of his cage without following the proper protocols (Now China, you know all play dates with the Emperor must be scheduled at least one month in advance). Of course, the fact that the DPJ holds a majority in both Houses of the Diet (thus the purse strings over the Imperial Household Agency’s budget) might have something to do with it.

You can interpret the DPJ’s (or just Ozawa Ichiro’s) interest in China two ways:
A) The DPJ sees the value in warmer relations with China as necessary and doesn’t want to slight them by refusing a visit with the Emperor.
…or…
B) The DPJ is too soft when it comes to their China policy and is allowing Li Xinping to show the world that a Chinese leader can meet the Emperor whenever he wishes, regardless of protocol. Considering the current Futenma debacle, the LDP will take any chance they can get to point out the Hatoyama government’s lack of finesse when it comes to foreign policy.

Regardless, I doubt Li Xinping will contort himself at the waist when he greets the Emperor like the foolish young American did…

Tags: current events, Japanese politics

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