How Old Is the Japanese Monarchy?

The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. The Imperial House recognizes 126 monarchs, beginning with Emperor Jimu traditionally dated to 11th February, 660 BC. Society was so stratified by deeply entrenched class disparity that essentially made no difference. So that's what you are up against, essentially, is a long time in the course of history where things are a certain way and that stuff just doesn't die overnight. And so the battle to form any sort of republic in Britain is going to be a very long one.

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