Japan Changes Imperial Succession Law but Keeps Ban on Female Emperor

Japan's parliament on Friday passed a historic revision to the 19th-century Imperial House Law, insisting that only men from the paternal lineage can become emperor. Experts fear this could doom the already shrinking imperial family.

The revisions include allowing the adoption of distant male relatives to father future heirs and permitting princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners. However, the ban on female emperors remains.

Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, is hugely popular, and many Japanese want her to succeed him, but she is ineligible because she is a woman. Under the male-only succession rule, the next in line is the emperor's younger brother, followed by his 19-year-old nephew, Prince Hisahito. After him comes the emperor's 90-year-old uncle.

Only five of the 16 adult imperial family members are men. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first woman in the role, is a leading proponent of male-line succession. Critics call the system patriarchal and outdated.

Historically, Japan has had eight female monarchs, the last ruling in the 18th century. A 2005 government proposal to allow female monarchs was scrapped after Hisahito's birth. The new measures allow adoption of unmarried male descendants of distant imperial relatives from the paternal line, aged 15 or older.

Many former royals express reluctance about adopted life, citing strict constraints. Princess Aiko is a public favorite, and her cousin Mako renounced her status to marry a commoner and move to New York.

Historians say the male-only system is unworkable today given Japan's aging population. Former Emperor Akihito reportedly supports Aiko's succession, while Naruhito has expressed hope that discussions will lead to a solution that gains public understanding.