Japan’s unpopular revision of Imperial law that reinforces male-only succession takes effect

TOKYO – Japan’s amendments to the Imperial House Law, which maintain a male‑only line of succession, came into effect on Saturday. The changes are poised to reshape the nation’s 1,500‑year‑old imperial institution.

The revisions permit the adoption of distant male relatives who have lived as commoners to be integrated into the royal family and father future heirs, and they allow princesses to retain their royal status after marrying non‑royals.

However, the new law excludes Emperor Naruhito’s widely popular daughter, Princess Aiko, 24, from the line of succession, and would also deny royal status to any future children she might have.

Critics argue that the amendments discriminate on the basis of family lineage and gender, and place additional pressure on younger royals to produce male heirs.

The Imperial Household Agency has indicated that officials are currently studying how to implement the new measures.

Under the male‑only rule, the succession would pass to the Emperor’s younger brother, Prince Akishino, followed by his son, 20‑year‑old Prince Hisahito. The next in line after him is the Emperor’s 90‑year‑old uncle.

The law enables the adoption of unmarried male descendants, aged 15 or older, from distant imperial relatives, but only those tracing a paternal line, into a branch of the royal family.

Officials aim to identify candidates from families that relinquished their royal titles in 1947, originally to reduce the monarchy’s postwar financial obligations. Of the 11 such families, four remain, though they are at least 36 generations removed from Emperor Naruhito, having diverged from a common male ancestor 600 years ago.

Government initiatives to ensure that male royals produce male emperors have drawn criticism.

Conservative scholars note that several candidates could be eligible, yet none have stepped forward, prompting widespread skepticism about voluntariness. Experts also highlight the lack of transparency in the selection process.

Historically, princesses marrying commoners were required to relinquish their royal status and exit the family. The most recent to do so was Princess Mako, one of Emperor Naruhito’s nieces, who married her college sweetheart in 2021 and relocated to the United States, where he practices law.

Five unmarried princesses, including Aiko and her cousin Kako, 31, may now decide to retain their royal status after marriage.

The amendment seeks to prevent female royals from leaving the family, enabling them to continue their duties and support official responsibilities as the imperial lineage ages and diminishes.

Nevertheless, experts predict the impact will be limited, as the law does not extend royal status to their future husbands or offspring.

The legislation raises numerous questions, such as appropriate wedding ceremonies, post‑marriage residence for the princesses, and whether spouses or children may accompany them on official duties. Experts are especially concerned that civil rights of commoner husbands and their children could be restricted in ways similar to those applying to royals.

Preventing spouses and children from receiving royal status is clearly aimed at avoiding maternal‑line succession, according to Hideya Kawanishi, a Nagoya University professor specializing in monarchical studies. “We will discover many incoherent issues,” he noted.

All but one major newspaper have condemned the revisions, and public opinion polls indicate that a large majority of citizens favor the possibility of a female monarch or a shift to maternal‑line succession.

Prominent cartoonist Yoshinori Kobayashi, known for his political comics and advocacy of female sovereignty and maternal‑line succession, has declared the revised law unconstitutional and plans to file a lawsuit against the government.

Japanese citizens, many of whom are conservatives supportive of Princess Aiko or opposed to male‑only succession, have taken to the streets in recent weeks, and their movement continues to expand.

In early October, hundreds of demonstrators marched through downtown Tokyo, demanding that Princess Aiko be granted succession rights and calling for further legal revisions. “Aiko‑sama for crown prince!” they chanted.

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