Emperor Akihito

* Re “Japanese Royal Couple Begins U.S. Visit,” June 11:

I am glad that the Emperor Akihito has chosen to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Dr. Martin Luther King. The gesture is greatly appreciated. However, the emperor’s participation rings rather hollow when Japan remains a bastion of the very prejudice that Dr. King spent his life fighting against.

Japan’s institutionalized bias against the burakumin (“untouchables”), native-born Japanese of Korean ancestry (not legally recognized as Japanese citizens), the aboriginal Ainu people and other ethnic minorities is still firmly entrenched. If the emperor truly wishes to honor the memory of Dr. King, he could work much harder to help reverse his own country’s long and hurtful legacy of minority discrimination.

ROBERT PAYNE

Studio City

* Re “Clinton Greets Emperor, Cites Ties to Japan,” June 14: How could President Clinton not challenge the emperor’s tepid excuse for Japan’s World War II atrocities toward civilians and their barbaric mistreatment of prisoners of war?

Can you possibly imagine war heroes Sens. Bob Dole or Bob Kerry or any highly decorated veteran of the “Go for Broke” 442nd Regimental Combat Team--those renowned Americans of Japanese descent--letting Akihito get away with what he said? Diplomacy be damned!

JERRY COWLE

Pacific Palisades