Finding gossip about the Japanese royal family in People magazine is no surprise here. It seems to be another example, in this case, of the influx of cultural interest sparked from across the pacific. Seeing that in America, the closest thing we have to a "royal" family might be the first family or, gasp, Brangelina, most probably can't understand the traditional ties a country and it's people might have to a royal family as merely a symbol of the current, past or present glory of a nation. Especially in Japan, with it's strict adherence to and extreme value placed on traditions and rituals, I could see why most of it's citizens might be behind keeping the royal family right were it is - as a national piece of cultural pride and history of ancient Japan.
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