Japan Tweaks Imperial Rules but Women Still Barred from Throne

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Tokyo : Japan has revised its imperial succession law to address the shrinking number of members in the Imperial Family, but women remain barred from becoming emperor under the country's male-only succession system.

The changes allow the adoption of male descendants from former imperial branches and permit female members of the Imperial Family to retain their royal status after marrying commoners. The reforms are intended to help preserve the world's oldest hereditary monarchy, which now has only a small number of male heirs.

However, the changes do not allow women to inherit the throne. Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito, is popular with the Japanese public but remains ineligible to become emperor because she is a woman. Japan has had eight reigning empresses in its history, although none has ruled in modern times.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi supports maintaining the male-only succession system, arguing that the imperial throne should continue through the male line. Critics, including opposition lawmakers and women's rights advocates, say the reforms fail to address the real succession crisis and preserve an outdated system despite widespread public support for allowing a woman to become emperor.

Pic Credit: AFP