Japan Law Allows Male Relatives to Join Imperial Line, Sidestepping Female Succession

Japan's parliament has enacted a tweaked imperial succession law, reaffirming the male-only line to the Chrysanthemum Throne despite significant public support for female emperors. The legislation allows for the adoption of male distant relatives aged over 15, provided they are single, back into the imperial family. Their future sons would then be eligible to inherit the throne, a measure designed to secure the continuation of the male bloodline.

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The future of the imperial household -- mythically descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu -- depends currently on Prince Hisahito, the 19-year-old nephew of Emperor Naruhito, 66. If Hisahito -- a fan of dragonflies, who is currently studying biology and is not married -- has no son, then under the rules as they stand he will have no heir and the bloodline will end.

The future of the imperial household, tracing its lineage to the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu, currently rests on Prince Hisahito, Emperor Naruhito's 19-year-old nephew. If Hisahito, who is studying biology and is unmarried, does not produce a male heir, the current rules would lead to the end of the imperial line.

Historically, eight female emperors have reigned in Japan, but an 1889 law, carried over into the current Imperial Household Law of 1947, stipulated that only men could become emperor, and solely through the paternal line. This effectively rules out Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, and other royal women from ascending the throne.

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The bill, passed by the upper house on Friday, allows the adoption of male distant relatives aged over 15 back into the imperial family -- as long as they are single -- and for their future sons to become eligible to ascend the throne.

The new rules also permit women to retain their royal status after marrying a commoner, though their children remain ineligible for succession due to their gender. The bill passed after internal debate within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, with some conservatives, like Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, opposing female succession. However, figures like Seiichiro Murakami, a veteran LDP member, and Asahiro Kuni, from one of the 11 former imperial branches, have voiced strong opposition to the new law, with Kuni stating he would advise his grandchildren against joining the royal family.

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By the age of 15, a person has grown up breathing the air of freedom.

Public opinion polls consistently show strong support for female succession, with recent surveys indicating over 70 percent in favor. Hideya Kawanishi, a professor at Nagoya University, criticized the bill, stating it "fails to reflect public opinion" and primarily serves the conservative goal of preserving the male-only lineage.

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For the conservative camp of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the likes, the overriding goal is to preserve the male-line, male-only.