The Imperial Family Law, which governs the structure and succession of Japan's royal family, has been significantly revised for the first time since its implementation in 1947. Under the new provisions, female royals can remain part of the imperial family even after marrying commoners, and men from former royal families who left after World War II can now be adopted as royals. While the adopted sons themselves do not have succession rights, their biological sons will be eligible to inherit the throne. This change has sparked controversy over the reinforcement of male lineage in succession.
On July 17, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the Japanese House of Councillors passed the amendment to the Imperial Family Law during its plenary session. The amendment had already been approved by the House of Representatives on July 10, completing the legislative process. The ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the Social Democratic Party supported the amendment, while the main opposition party, the Constitutional Democratic Party, and the Communist Party voted against it.
The amendment removes the provision that required female royals to leave the imperial family upon marrying a commoner. Previously, female royals had to depart the royal family upon marriage, although they could choose to remain. Even if they stay, their husbands and children will not become royals and will retain their status as common citizens.
Additionally, the amendment allows for the acceptance of male descendants from the 11 former imperial families that left in 1947 as adopted royals, provided they are over 15 years old and do not have spouses or children. This creates an exception to the previous ban on adoption within the imperial family.
The core of the controversy lies in the fact that the sons of these adopted males will have succession rights. While the adopted males themselves cannot inherit the throne, their biological sons will be eligible under current regulations. Although this change does not immediately affect the current line of succession, it opens the possibility for new candidates for the throne from former royal families in the long term.
The discussions began as a response to the declining number of royals due to the rule requiring female royals to leave upon marriage. The chairs of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors consulted with various parties to find ways to maintain the number of royals, but they did not reach a conclusion on succession issues. However, the government's proposal to recognize succession rights for the sons of adopted males expanded the discussion from merely maintaining royal numbers to include succession matters.
The Constitutional Democratic Party proposed an amendment to remove the provision allowing the adoption of descendants from former royal families, but it was rejected. Hiroyuki Nagahama, a member of the Constitutional Democratic Party, pointed out during the House of Councillors deliberations that the adoption system could lead to confusion in the royal lineage and would not contribute to stable succession.
A recent poll conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun found that 73% of respondents supported recognizing a female emperor. However, the current amendment does not address the issue of female emperors or succession through maternal lineage. Instead, it has broadened the possibility of succession through male lineage from former royal families.
With the passage of the bill, the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors agreed to continue discussions on stable succession plans. While the Imperial Family Law has been amended after 79 years, the key issue of who will inherit the throne remains unresolved.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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