Constructing imperial identity: how to quote the Imperial Family and thosewho address them in the Japanese press

This article examines how speech representation in Japanese journalistic di scourse reflects and reproduces the social structure in Japan and the ident ity of the Imperial Family. Japanese newspapers tend strongly to quote the Imperial Family verbatim, which supports the thesis 'the higher the status of the speaker, the more direct the presentation' (Glasgow University Media Group, 1980; Davis, 1985), On the other hand, Japanese newspapers also ten d to quote those who address the Imperial Family verbatim, which suggests t hat not only the more elite the speaker, but also the more elite the addres see, the more verbatim the presentation. I argue that this practice mirrors the Japanese media's ideology that the Imperial Family belongs to a noble class. However, there has been a sign of change in the quoting practice sin ce the Crown Prince got married in Tune 1993. This change may contribute to constructing new power relations and identities in Japanese society.