LDP official urges revision of Imperial House Law for stable succession

A senior official in Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has reiterated calls to revise the Imperial House Law, stressing the urgent need to address the declining number of imperial family members.

Masahiko Kobayashi, the LDP's policy research council chairman, stated that securing a sufficient number of imperial family members is a pressing issue. He believes that any revisions to the law should prioritize the historical traditions of the imperial family while ensuring a stable succession.

The debate over the imperial succession has intensified in recent years due to the shrinking number of male heirs. The current law restricts succession to the male line, raising concerns about the long-term viability of the imperial institution.

Kobayashi's remarks suggest the LDP is moving towards proposing concrete measures to address the issue, potentially including allowing female members to retain their imperial status after marriage or considering the return of male-line descendants of former imperial princes who became commoners after World War II.