Japan has maintained the ban on women ascending to the imperial…
Japan has maintained the ban on women ascending to the imperial throne. Japan's parliament adopted amendments to the succession law on Friday but rejected the one that would have allowed members of the Imperial Family to occupy the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Consensus
- The Japanese Parliament passed amendments to the law on imperial succession.
- The amendments allow distant male relatives over 15 years old who are unmarried to join the imperial family.
- Female members of the imperial family may retain their status after marrying commoners, a provision already applicable to men.
- The proposal allowing women in the imperial family to ascend the throne was rejected.
- Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito, is excluded from succession under current law.
- Prince Hisahito, nephew of Emperor Naruhito and the only male member of the younger generation, is central to the future of the dynasty.
- The imperial family currently consists of 16 members, including five men: Emperor Naruhito, his brother Fumihito, Prince Hisahito, former Emperor Akihito, and his brother Masahito.
Points of divergence
- The law change allows returning to the imperial family only distant male relatives by the male line older than 15 years if they are not married. — vedomosti
- The vote in the upper house was 184 for and 57 against out of 241 members. — kommersant
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, opposed allowing women to inherit power. — kommersant
- The daily newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun criticized the law in an editorial. — kommersant
- An Asahi Shimbun poll from May showed 72% of respondents supported allowing women in the imperial family to ascend the throne. — kommersant
Coverage (2 sources)
- Japan's Parliament Maintains Ban on Women Inheriting the Throne — Ведомости
- Japan Maintains Ban on Women Ascending the Imperial Throne — Коммерсантъ