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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Japan's popular princess sparks calls to ditch male-only succession law

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Japan's imperial family faces a succession crisis with only three male heirs, one of whom is 90 years old.
  • The government proposed allowing males from former imperial branches to be adopted into the current family to secure the line.
  • Public opinion largely favors allowing Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's daughter, to ascend the throne.

Japan's centuries-old Chrysanthemum Throne faces an unprecedented succession crisis, with only three male heirs remaining in the line of succession, one of whom is 90 years old. This dwindling number has prompted the Japanese government to consider controversial changes to secure the monarchy's future.

To put it bluntly, they are practically complete strangers.

— Okawa MakotoDescribing the distant relationship of the proposed adopted heirs to the current imperial family.

The government recently approved changes that would allow males from defunct branches of the imperial family to be adopted into the current royal household. While these adopted individuals, born as commoners, would not be eligible to inherit the throne themselves, their sons would be. This proposal aims to bolster the number of potential heirs, but it has sparked debate, with many questioning why the law isn't being amended to allow female succession.

I think everyone would like to see her become emperor.

— MiwaExpressing public support for Princess Aiko's potential ascension.

Emperor Naruhito currently has only one child, Princess Aiko, who is widely popular among the Japanese public. Professor Okawa Makoto, an expert in imperial lineage, stated that allowing a female emperor would be the "simplest solution." He pointed out the distant relation of the proposed adoptees, noting, "To put it bluntly, they are practically complete strangers."

This proposal involves welcoming such outsiders into the Imperial Family.

— Okawa MakotoCommenting on the nature of the proposed adoptions for succession purposes.

The current line of succession includes Crown Prince Fumihito, the Emperor's 60-year-old brother, followed by his son, 19-year-old Prince Hisahito. If Prince Hisahito does not have a male heir, the monarchy could end within a generation. Princess Aiko, at 24, enjoys significant public support, with a recent poll by Mainichi Shimbun finding 72 percent of respondents favor female succession. Many citizens interviewed expressed strong support for Princess Aiko becoming empress, viewing the male-only succession law as "outdated" and "discriminatory."

It's discriminatory.

— Tobai JujuStating her view on the current male-only succession law.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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