The Imperial Household Agency expressed strong disapproval after a video surfaced online showing Princess Kako asleep during a flight in Brazil. The agency questioned the purpose of such an intrusion into her personal privacy.
Naomasa Yoshida, a high-ranking official within the agency, stated that taking videos without consent during private moments is generally undesirable. Princess Kako, the niece of Emperor Naruhito, was in Brazil for events commemorating the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.
The video, posted around June 12, depicted Princess Kako and agency officials boarding a commercial flight. It then showed the 30-year-old princess asleep in her seat. The agency has requested that the platform hosting the video investigate whether it violated the company's guidelines, which typically prohibit sharing footage taken without permission.
An official from the agency's Public Relations Office indicated that it was unlikely the princess had given permission for the video. Princess Kako departed Japan on June 4 and is scheduled to return on June 17, utilizing commercial flights to visit various cities in Brazil.
A legal expert specializing in internet and social media matters noted that privacy concerns arise when footage is taken and shared without consent. However, the expert also stated that, given the setting of a commercial flight, proving a violation of private space would be challenging. The expert also added that, in this celebrity-obsessed age, posting images of public figures can be argued to serve the public interest.
The legal expert further qualified this by stating that a video of someone sleeping on a flight in Brazil is different than if the person had been sleeping during a public event. The expert concluded that there was a good chance the video violated the princess's rights. Members of the imperial family, while unable to vote, still possess the right to privacy and the right to not have their portrait taken.
If an individual believes their privacy has been violated, they can request the removal of the content, seek information about the poster, and potentially pursue compensation. However, in this instance, any claim for compensation would need to be initiated by the princess herself, not the Imperial Household Agency.
4 Comments
Rotfront
It's not great, but it's not the end of the world. People need to chill out a little bit.
Karamba
They need to be on a flight at some point. What do they expect? It's just reality.
Matzomaster
Poor Princess Kako. Imagine being hounded like this even for a moment of rest. This is a disgrace.
Karamba
I understand the agency's concern, but it's also a bit... tame. This is all too excessive.