"She is the symbol of an unequal, class-based society, and really should be consigned to the role of curiosity for American and Japanese tourists (at her own expense)".

So, you believe that replacing the Monarchy with a Presidential-type figure would provide us with a society in which everyone is equal, and which is not class-based?

Do you genuinely believe that everyone is 'equal' and there are no 'class-distinctions' in the USA or japan, or for that matter Russia, or France, or Iran, or China, or any other country on Earth?

Two words - "Get Real".