Scotland, Japan and Korea

HM the Emperor in Scotland

Next week Scotland will hold a referendum on whether or not to leave the United Kingdom and become an independent country (or at least as "independent" as one can be within the European Union). The coalition supporting this movement are certainly no friends of monarchy or time-honored Scottish traditions. The "Yes" vote supporters consist of socialists, communists, Irish republicans and people who have simply made a habit of hating England. Given the disreputable characters who support the break-up of the United Kingdom, it should probably be no surprise that the dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un, recently came out in support of Scottish "independence" (see this article in the Daily Mail). This should be reason enough on its own for anyone in Japan to support the "No" vote. Elements in Russia have also voiced support for Scottish so-called "independence" because they feel it will strengthen the position of the pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine in terms of world opinion as they try to claim independence from the rest of the country (prior to joining Russia outright or in all but name). What does this have to do with Japan? Indirectly, more than one might think, especially with the position of powers such as Russia and North Korea. These countries support the break-up of the United Kingdom because they want to see countries like the UK weakened. As a friendly country with a long history of good relations between the Japanese Imperial Family and the British Royal Family, the dissolution of the United Kingdom is something Japan should oppose for the same reasons that powers like North Korea support it.

There is also the concern of this idea becoming fashionable and that is something that could cause Japan considerable trouble. Many news reports are already circulating about the example a "Yes" vote in Scotland could set for independence-movements in Quebec in Canada, in the Catalan region of the Kingdom of Spain or for Flanders in the Kingdom of Belgium. There are plenty of other examples as well. Consider the so-called "Ryukyu Independence Movement" (琉球独立運動). Here also is a former kingdom that was united with another monarchy and which existing countries today would like to see push for independence as a way of weakening Japan. Only recently, elements in China said that the Ryukyus should not be considered part of Japan at all. It would be very easy to imagine China giving active support (perhaps clandestinely) to a pro-independence movement in the Ryukyus both as a way of weakening Japan and to gain control of the Senkakus without risking war with Japan and the United States. All of these are reasons why the loyal monarchists of Japan and the United Kingdom should stand together in opposing these secessionist movements. It is a dangerous world and countries which are successful always attract enemies and if these enemies lack the courage to oppose a country openly, they will do it with subterfuge by supporting movements that make their enemies weaker and leave them open to outside manipulation. Now is the time for monarchist solidarity, support the "No" vote in Scotland!

(Also, notice in the Daily Mail article the source of Koreans in Japan who are loyal to the DPRK, a foreign power, rather than being loyal to HM the Emperor. Traitors in one country supporting the traitors in another country.)