Prior to WWII the U.S. frequently broke into Japanese legations in order to secure (steal) Imperial code materials.

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But the drafters of the first Imperial House Law decided not to allow women to ascend the throne in order to preserve the single line that, according to legend, is descended from the sun goddess, Amaterasu Omikami.

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By contrast, claims Mr Jacques, imperial China's attachment to Confucian values of harmony meant its main concern was to keep order and social equality within its domains.

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