Japan revises law on royals, keeps blocking women from throne

Key Points:

• Japan's upper house has passed revisions to imperial succession laws allowing princesses to remain in the family after marrying commoners and permitting adoption of male-line descendants from former imperial branches, aiming to secure the shrinking imperial family.
• Critics argue the revisions aim to prevent a female emperor, despite public polls showing 60%-90% support for female succession, particularly favoring Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's only child.
• The male-only succession rule dates back to the 1889 Meiji-era law, influenced by patriarchal and militaristic views, and excludes women despite historical precedents of eight female emperors in Japan.
• Opponents claim the current law violates constitutional guarantees against gender discrimination, emphasizing that the emperor's role is symbolic and determined by the people's will under Japan's constitution.
• Emperor Naruhito has cautiously expressed hope for public understanding regarding securing the imperial family's future, highlighting the sensitivity and political significance of the issue.