Japan revises law to ensure supply of (male) heirs to the imperial throne

Key Points:

• Japan's upper house has approved revisions to imperial succession laws aiming to maintain the shrinking imperial family by allowing princesses to remain after marrying commoners and permitting adoption of male-line descendants from former branches, though none of these changes allow female emperors.
• Critics argue the revisions aim to prevent a future female emperor, despite public polls showing 60-90% support for female succession, particularly influenced by the popularity of Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's only child.
• The male-only succession practice dates back to the 1889 Meiji-era law emphasizing male lineage and imperial authority, despite historical precedents of eight female emperors over twelve centuries who were male-line descendants.
• Former diplomat Seiichiro Noboru contends that barring women from the throne violates constitutional gender equality and public will, citing Article 1 of Japan's Constitution which states the emperor's position is determined by the people's will.
• The imperial family faces a succession crisis with only one young male heir, Prince Hisahito, heightening public concern about the monarchy's future amid evolving societal and political expectations.