Japan’s Parliament Votes for Male-Only Imperial Succession

On Friday, Japan’s parliament approved a measure for male-only succession in the imperial lineage, a tradition that’s been upheld for around 1,500 years.

As reported by the Associated Press, this change involves amending the Imperial House Law, originally established in the 1800s. Experts have raised concerns that limiting succession to male heirs could accelerate the decline and aging of Japan’s imperial family.

To tackle the issue of fewer eligible heirs, the new bill allows the adoption of distant male relatives into the royal family to ensure future heirs. However, the law still restricts succession strictly to males with royal blood. Interestingly, it will enable princesses to retain their royal status even after marrying outside the royal circle.

The parliamentary decision comes amid public calls for Princess Aiko, the 24-year-old daughter of Emperor Naruhito, to be considered for succession, a possibility that is now off the table.

Junichiro Tsujimaru, a 78-year-old sushi chain founder, expressed his viewpoint to the Associated Press, stating, “The emperor is a symbolic figure, and I don’t see why a woman can’t play that role.”

According to the current succession structure, the emperor’s younger brother, age 66, is the next in line, followed by his 19-year-old nephew, Prince Hisahito, and the emperor’s 90-year-old uncle.

Prince Hisahito stands out as the only male born into the imperial family over the last 40 years, with just five of the 16 adult family members being male.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other conservative figures argue that the male lineage is crucial for the emperor’s authority and legitimacy.

Monarchy expert Hideya Kawanishi criticized the move, stating, “This is a declaration to prevent female monarchs and protect the male line at all costs. They refer to it as tradition because they can’t label it as chauvinism.”

Feminist sociologist Chizuko Ueno pointed out the irony that Japan’s first female prime minister ensured a male-only succession. She remarked on how the new rules seem to treat male royals as “stallions” while pressuring female royals as “birthing machines” for male children.

Historically, Japan has had eight female emperors, the last being Empress Gosakuramachi, who abdicated the throne in 1771. The prohibition against women ascending to the throne was put in place in 1890 with the original Imperial House Law.

This restriction has been carried over into the present law, which came into effect in 1947, aligning with Japan’s new constitution that reduced the emperor’s governing powers post-World War II.

Like the British royal family, the Japanese imperial family remains an important national symbol.