Japan revises imperial succession law, keeps ban on female emperors

Japan's parliament has approved a revision to the Imperial House Law that preserves the male-only succession while introducing measures to address the shrinking royal family. The changes allow the adoption of distant male relatives over 15 and let princesses retain their royal status after marrying commoners, but maintain the bar on women ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne. Source: BBC, DW

What changed

• The imperial family may adopt unmarried male descendants (over 15) from 11 former branch families that lost royal status after WWII. Their future sons would become eligible heirs. Source: AP News, SCMP
• Princesses who marry commoners can keep their royal titles, unlike previously when they had to leave. Source: CNA, NPR

What stayed the same

• Women remain ineligible to become emperor. This excludes Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, who is widely popular. Source: DW, Euronews
• The line of succession will pass to Crown Prince Fumihito (60), then to Prince Hisahito (19), and then to the emperor's 90-year-old uncle. If Hisahito has no son, the bloodline ends. Source: BBC, AP News

Public opinion vs. government stance

Polls show 60–90% of Japanese support allowing a female emperor, but Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country's first female premier, opposes it, arguing that male lineage is "the foundation of the emperor's authority and legitimacy." Critics call the revision a "declaration to prevent female monarchs" and say it ignores public sentiment.