Crown Prince Akishino Voices Mixed Feelings on Male-Only Succession Law as Princess Aiko, 24, Stays Barred
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 13
Crown Prince Akishino Voices Mixed Feelings on Male-Only Succession Law as Princess Aiko, 24, Stays Barred
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 13
Summary
Akishino, next in line to Japan’s throne, said he has “mixed feelings” about the revised Imperial House Law, adding it would be “strange” not to after the government reaffirmed male-only succession.
At a Tokyo news conference, he said “there is no difference between men and women” in serving imperial roles, but stopped short of a direct political challenge, saying the issue is difficult and he cannot fully discuss it.
The revision by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government keeps only paternal-lineage men eligible to become emperor, leaving Emperor Naruhito’s popular 24-year-old daughter Princess Aiko ineligible while preserving Akishino and 19-year-old Prince Hisahito in the line.
It also lets princesses keep royal status after marrying commoners, though their husbands and children remain non-royal, and allows adoption of unmarried male descendants aged 15 or older from distant imperial branches to bolster heirs.
The changes have triggered protests as sexist and outdated, reviving debate over Japan’s shrinking imperial family and a succession system that has excluded women despite eight female monarchs in the country’s history.