Ben Hills, the author of Princess Masako, Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne, a controversial biography of Crown Princess Masako that is scheduled for release in Japanese in September, has received death threats over the book. Publisher Daisan-Shokan also has been subjected to protests by right-wing nationalist groups.

Hills said he has received several email death threats, via his website, in the lead-up to the Japanese publication. “They were saying things like, ‘Die white pork!’ They were quite racist,” Hills said.
The emails were sent anonymously, Hills said, adding that the senders did not identify themselves as part of any organization.

Kodansha Ltd., which was originally set to publish the Japanese version, pulled out after the contents of the book were criticized by the Japanese Imperial Household Agency. Daisan-Shokan agreed to publish the Japanese version in the spirit of free speech.

In an email written to Hills, which Kyodo News has obtained, the publisher’s president, Akira Kitagawa, said a Japanese ultra-nationalist group visited company’s office on Aug 10 and demanded the publication be pulled.

“Just now, two black cars with ultra-nationalistic slogans on them are parking besides the building where my company address is. They are shouting hysterically, ‘Stop the publication of Princess Masako’ with huge loudspeakers,” the email said.

“Policemen are just watching them and let them do as much as they want to do. This is how your book is getting more and more popular in Japan before being published,” Kitagawa said.

Publication of the Japanese version is also being resisted by more respectable segments of the Establishment. Asahi Shimbun reportedly has refused to carry an advertisement for the book because it is disrespectful to the royal family.

Hills said he was deeply disturbed by the recent events.

“The Japanese establishment is just trying to censor my book and it really is quite outrageous. It’s censorship pure and simple,” he said.

As for how the book will be received in Japan once published, Hills said he hopes readers will make up their own minds.

“The Japanese will be able to read it and judge for themselves. To me, it’s really not important whether they like it or they don’t like it. They have got to read it and make their own minds up. It’s obviously going to be a controversial book. It criticizes some sacred cows,” he said.