It's disturbing that this male-only business is going hand in hand with historical revisionism and resurgence of racist beliefs. This seems to be overall a rather unhealthy combination for a technologically advanced country in the 21st century that's trying to get along in the wider world.
It's also ironic that this precious male line is one going back to a female deity. Perhaps, being a deity, she had her own Y chromosome.
There are some interesting articles about the Japanese Imperial family and its history here:
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/040921.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/040928.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041005.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041012.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041221.html
It's also ironic that this precious male line is one going back to a female deity. Perhaps, being a deity, she had her own Y chromosome.
There are some interesting articles about the Japanese Imperial family and its history here:
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/040921.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/040928.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041005.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041012.html
http://www.etoile.co.uk/Columns/PandorasBox/041221.html