Japan's upper house of parliament passes bill to expand imperial family membership while maintaining male-only succession for the throne.
Japan's upper house of parliament has approved a bill to revise the Imperial House Law, aiming to stabilize the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy. The legislation allows the imperial family to adopt male descendants from former branches and permits princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners. These changes address a looming succession crisis, as the family currently has only three eligible heirs, including the 19-year-old Prince Hisahito. While the revisions expand the pool of royal members to ensure the family can fulfill public duties, the bill notably preserves the tradition of male-only succession. This decision faces some criticism from the public, as polls show high support for a female emperor, such as the popular Princess Aiko. However, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and other conservative leaders argue that maintaining the male line is essential for the throne's legitimacy. The administration's move provides a short-term solution to the dwindling number of heirs while preserving the patriarchal foundation of the imperial lineage.