Japanese Parliament Approves Amended Law Strengthening Male-Only Succession to the Throne

The Japanese parliament approved on Friday a historic amendment to the Imperial House Law dating back to the 19th century, insisting that only males of paternal lineage can become emperors, raising concerns that this could lead to the extinction of the already shrinking imperial family.

The amendments include allowing distant male relatives to be adopted to produce future heirs, and permitting princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners.

The 24-year-old daughter of Emperor Naruhito enjoys immense popularity, and many Japanese wish for her to succeed him. However, Princess Aiko is ineligible because she is a woman.

Japan’s rule restricting succession to males only means that the emperor’s teenage nephew and second in line to the throne, Prince Hisahito, is likely to be the heir.