Latest news with #Hisahito
Asahi Shimbun
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
EDITORIAL: Keep road open for female, matrilineal emperors
Discussions among ruling coalition and opposition lawmakers on measures that would secure an adequate number of imperial family members to ensure a stable succession are entering the final stages. The Constitution defines the emperor as the symbol of the state. We believe it is desirable to conclude discussions in a direction that does not intentionally exclude female or matrilineal emperors in the future while continuing to place importance on the sense of values that is widely shared by the public and which flows throughout the Constitution. RESPECT INDIVIDUAL CHOICE In autumn 2024, an interim report was compiled by the top two officers of the Lower and Upper houses based on discussions held among all participating party members as well as the views of individuals who were questioned separately. The report said 'many views were expressed generally in favor' of not disturbing the imperial succession process that has continued until Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the imperial throne. On a second point, the report said 'a common understanding was in general obtained for moving in a direction of allowing as a pressing issue' female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage to a commoner. On the third point of allowing patrilineal male offspring of the imperial line to be adopted, the report said 'while many highly positive views were expressed, there were also opposing views.' Four meetings of all participating Diet members have been held this year and the minutes of those gatherings were released by this month. The general consensus of respecting individual choice regarding whether a female imperial family member decides to retain her status after marriage can be positively evaluated. It is only natural to protect the freedom of making a personal decision whether to retain a status that has many constraints in terms of fundamental human rights, such as freedom of expression and occupational choice. But imagination must also be exercised about the possibility that even in the case of personal choice, the individual might make such a decision while feeling both tangible and intangible pressure. There is a need to create a system that sufficiently respects the will and the rights of the individual in question. As Crown Prince Fumihito said at a news conference in 2024, imperial family members are 'real live humans.' We must never forget that they must be respected as individual human beings. Regarding whether female imperial family members should be limited only to the children and grandchildren of an emperor or should be extended to also include great-grandchildren and later generations, the majority view was in favor of the latter. DOUBTS REMAIN ABOUT ADOPTION PROPOSAL However, opinion was divided over whether to give imperial family status to the spouse and children of female imperial family members. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party was opposed because members argued for the need to maintain patrilineal sons for succession purposes. The LDP argued that the history and tradition of the imperial family of not allowing men who did not belong to the imperial line to become an imperial family member was 'extremely serious.' The opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan pointed out that not giving imperial status to such males would allow them the freedom to head a political party, religious organization or for-profit company. That would leave open the possibility of having a grave effect on the dignity and political neutrality as a female imperial family member. We cannot consent to closing the door to giving imperial status. Another proposal that has emerged is to hold meetings of the heads of the three branches of government and imperial family members to decide on each separate occasion whether to grant imperial status to the commoner male after marriage. Past Asahi Shimbun editorials have touched upon the proposal for adopting as imperial family members the offspring of the sons of the 11 imperial families that were disbanded after World War II. An editorial said the proposal 'betrays a fixation on the idea that only males of the patrilineal lineage should be allowed to succeed to the throne and is unlikely to be widely understood or accepted by the public.' Imperial House Law provisions prohibit adoption. A major reason is to avoid the confusion that has often arisen in history over the line of imperial succession and legitimacy of the emperor. In this century, a panel of experts set up by then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said allowing disbanded family members to return to the imperial family would be 'extremely difficult' because of problems that would arise from the viewpoints of understanding and support of the public, stability and tradition. In recent years, constitutional law scholars have pointed to the possibility that the proposal could raise doubts about the constitutional ban against discrimination based on family origin. In the latest round of discussions, the view was raised that the proposal could effectively lead to the creation of a hereditary status as an aristocratic family. Wide-ranging understanding will not likely be obtained unless such fundamental doubts can be resolved. DEEPEN DEBATE ON BASIC POINTS What has emerged from the compilation of views is the removal from the discussions of allowing for female emperors as well as matrilineal emperors. That proposal was supported by the Koizumi experts' panel and subsequent public opinion surveys have found strong support for it. There have been eight female emperors in the past and all were patrilineal heirs. There is said to be no case of a matrilineal emperor. Since Article 1 of the Constitution states that the emperor is 'the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people,' it will likely be inappropriate that the gender inequality that society is struggling to overcome is reflected in the emperor and the system that supports him. Rather than exclude the possibility of a female emperor or one from the maternal line, discussions should proceed while maintaining overall coherence. At the same time, there is a need to sufficiently keep in mind the rights of the individual who would be affected. It will be difficult to achieve complete coherence because the Constitution contains heterogenous elements. In addition to defining the emperor as a symbol of the state, the Constitution also contains throughout it universal principles of mankind such as respect for the individual and equality under the law. Debate must be deepened on such basic points as whether any new system might possibly expand the current incoherence, whether it is moving in a direction that is more in compliance for supporting the emperor as a symbol of unity of the people and whether the new system is in line with the sense of values of contemporary society that has been produced under the Constitution. A previous Asahi Shimbun editorial said the LDP should not 'push through its proposals on the strength of numbers without securing a broad public consensus.' While once again confirming that stance, discussions should not be needlessly delayed, but the debate in the final stages must reach a conclusion that is convincing to a wide portion of the public. --The Asahi Shimbun, May 28
The Mainichi
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
66% in Japan interested in Imperial Family, 70% approve female succession: Mainichi poll
TOKYO -- Around two-thirds of people in Japan have an interest in the Imperial Family, while 70% favor allowing women to inherit the throne, the results of a Mainichi Shimbun national survey conducted on May 17 and 18 have shown. The 66% who said they are interested in the Imperial Family is roughly double the 33% who said they were not. As the Imperial Family continues to taper off, the future of the system is an important issue. The Mainichi Shimbun continues to regularly conduct polls gauging public awareness, including whether people care about the Imperial Family. To a question asking whether they were interested in the Imperial Family, replies varied by age group, with 50% of those 18 to 29 years old saying they weren't, slightly higher than the 49% who were. The proportion of those interested increased with age: 54% of those in their 30s, 57% among those in their 40s, 68% for those in their 50s, 76% in their 60s and reaching the highest level at 82% among those 70 and older. Analyzing responses from all age groups, 19% reported being "very interested" compared to 47% who said "somewhat," 23% said "not very" and 10% replied "not at all." Those with a strong interest were limited to about 20%, leaving it unclear if people's thoughts on the Imperial Family extend to discussions over the system of Imperial succession. The current Imperial Family includes six members in the Emperor's next generation, five of whom are women. Prince Hisahito, the now 18-year-old son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, is the only male of his generation with Imperial succession rights. Public debate continues over how to ensure a stable succession, but a conclusion has remained elusive for years due to a lack of momentum among the public for a swift resolution. The survey also asked about approval of a female member of the Imperial Family ascending to the throne. Seventy percent supported the idea, while 6% opposed it, 23% answered "can't say either way" and 1% did not respond. Although a simple comparison cannot be made due to the difference in survey methods, a similar poll in May 2024 found 81% support and 10% opposition for female succession. Over the past two decades, surveys by the Mainichi Shimbun have consistently shown support for a female emperor ranging from just under 70% to just under 90%. After then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration established an expert panel to consider the possibility, a February 2005 survey reported 87% approval, while in September 2006, just after Prince Hisahito's birth, approval stood at 72%. The May 2024 survey took place as Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, began full-fledged official duties after starting work at the Japanese Red Cross Society. The most recent survey was conducted for the first time since Prince Hisahito held his coming-of-age press conference and entered university. These circumstances may have influenced opinion trends. Approval for a female emperor by political party lines was: 72% among supporters of the ruling coalition's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), 78% among backers of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, 76% among Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party) followers, 67% for the Democratic Party for the People, 80% for Reiwa Shinsengumi and just under 80% for both LDP coalition partner Komeito and the Japanese Communist Party. Among unaffiliated respondents, support was 69%. The online poll was carried out via the "d-Survey" method targeting smartphone users, based on a questionnaire service used by members of NTT Docomo Inc.'s "d Point Club" rewards program. Respondents were randomly selected from around 74 million users aged 18 and above across Japan, and valid responses were obtained from 2,045 people.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Imperial revolution in Japan: Time for a woman emperor?
Deeply appreciated: Princess Aiko at the launching ceremony for the Arctic research vessel Mirai II. What many may not know is that Japan has had eight female emperors in the past. — The Yomiuri Shimbun/ANN THE shrinking number of Japan's imperial family members is a grave problem for the country. As things stand, only three members are eligible to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne, and unease about the continuation of the Imperial line simmers on. Ensuring a stable imperial succession has become a political issue whose resolution can no longer be postponed. The discussions on a stable succession that are underway between the ruling and opposition parties, led by the heads of both Diet chambers, must reach a consensus during the current Diet session. The Yomiuri Shimbun is proposing four key points to address and resolve the issue of a stable succession to the throne. Thirty years ago, the imperial family had 26 members. That number has fallen to 16, including the Emperor, 65. The three members eligible to ascend to the throne are Crown Prince Akishino, 59; his son Prince Hisahito, 18; and Prince Hitachi, 89, the younger brother of the Emperor Emeritus. Aside from Prince Hisahito, five imperial family members are unmarried, including Princess Aiko, 23, daughter of the Emperor and Empress; and Princess Kako, 30, second daughter of the crown prince and Crown Princess Kiko. All five are women. Discussions between the ruling and opposition parties have focused mainly on two proposals – allowing female members of the imperial family to retain their status after marriage, and allowing male children from the male line of former imperial family branches to return to the family by being adopted by current members. The parties aim to wrap up these discussions before this summer's House of Coun-cillors election. The political parties and their parliamentary groups are largely in agreement on the issue of allowing female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage. However, there are divergent views on whether imperial status should be conferred on the husbands and children of female members. Discussions on this point have reached an impasse. In particular, members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are concerned that granting imperial status to these husbands and children could one day lead to matrilineal emperors, who are descendants through a female line. This could upend the tradition of imperial succession based on patrilineal descent, which has spanned 126 generations. The party's position is that imperial status should be granted to husbands and sons only in cases in which a female imperial family member has married a man from the male line of a former imperial family branch. However, continuation of the imperial line is the top priority. Given this, it would be reasonable to allow the establishment of female imperial branches headed by female imperial family members, and to grant imperial status to her husband and children, to stabilise the overall number of imperial family members. Japan's Imperial House Law, which stipulates the line of succession and other matters related to the imperial family, states that a female member who marries anybody other than a member of the imperial family will lose her status as a family member. This law urgently needs to be revised. The postwar system that recognises the Emperor as a symbol of the state in Japan and of the unity of the people has taken root among the people. Activities conducted by the imperial family, such as travelling to Pacific War battlefields to console the spirits of the war dead and visiting disaster-hit areas to show support for people in the affected regions, have been deeply respected and admired. The Imperial House Law stipulates that the throne shall be succeeded to 'by a male offspring in the male line belonging to the Imperial lineage', but the imperial family must not be placed in jeopardy as a result of sticking rigidly to the line of male descent. Japan has had eight female emperors in the past. To ensure the stable succession of the Imperial family, consideration should be given to realistic approaches such as allowing female emperors and not ruling out the possibility of one day having female-line emperors. The Constitution stipulates only that the Emperor is the 'symbol of the state' and that the Emperor's position is 'dynastic'. The second core topic of the political discussions – allowing male children from the male line of former Imperial family branches to return to the family – has raised considerable apprehension. It remains unclear whether the public would support a change that enables people who had been living as regular citizens to become imperial family members. This issue requires careful consideration. — The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network
Japan Forward
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
CDP Should Stop Blocking Imperial Succession Plan
このページを 日本語 で読む Japan's parliament is working to ensure there are sufficient Imperial Family members for stable succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The speakers and vice speakers of the two houses of the Diet plan to compile a draft plan on succession specifically for this purpose. They will then submit the plan to each political party in the Diet. The government must reach a legislative consensus based on the overriding principle of male-line succession to the throne. From there, it must move forward with revising the Imperial House Law. His Majesty the Emperor at the Imperial Palace, Ishibashi Room (pool photo) Discussions have been proceeding in the Diet based on a report submitted by the government in 2022. That report stated that the flow of Imperial Succession from His Majesty the Emperor to Crown Prince Akishino and then to Prince Hisahito "must not be compromised." It also included the following two proposals: Female members of the Imperial Family would retain their imperial status even after marriage. However, their spouses and children would not be considered members of the Imperial Family. Male descendants of former Imperial Family members could return to the Imperial Family through adoption or other means. Eight major parties and parliamentary groups favor the contents of the government report. They include the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), Democratic Party for the People, and the Yuushi no Kai (Volunteer Party). As soon as possible, we would like to see agreement on a finalized draft incorporating all its points. Prince and Princess Akishino with Prince Hisahito. Point 2 of the report is the most important change. It would increase the number of male members of the Imperial Family with the right of succession and ensure a stable succession through the male line that would protect the foundations of Japan. In April, the government announced that there were unmarried descendants in the male lineages of four former collateral imperial lines. This revelation has great significance. They are male descendants of Prince Kuni, Prince Higashikuni, Prince Kaya, and Prince Takeda. These former branches of the Imperial House are offshoots of the Fushiminomiya family, whose heads were given the title of prince and princess by successive emperors over six centuries to protect the imperial line. Male members of these former Imperial Families were eligible to inherit the throne until October 1947. Then, they were demoted to commoner status under the Occupation-era postwar Constitution, which still stands today. Now, however, the continuity of the imperial line is under threat. The only viable solution is for male members of these collateral lines to be called on to assume the important duties of the Imperial Family as needed. Repeated instances of succession based on the principle that the Imperial Throne is passed down through the male line have fostered legitimacy and prevented usurpation. There is one cause for concern, however. That is the presence of Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) leader Yoshihiko Noda and others who have been blocking the conclusion of an agreement on imperial succession. The CDP's own written opinion only calls for "clarification of the issues" and does not go so far as to deny the conclusions of the government report. However, during discussions in the Diet, Noda disagreed with the contents of the government report. He has now become a leading figure in opposing it. But, in doing so, he has gone too far. The Emperor and Empress, Princess Aiko, Prince and Princess Akishino, and other members of the Imperial Family attend a garden party at Akasaka Gyoen in Motoakasaka, Tokyo, on April 23rd, 2024. (©Sankei by Takumi Kamoshida) Furthermore, Noda and people like him appear to want to recognize the spouses and children of female members of the Imperial Family as full members of the Imperial House. That should not happen. It would be an unprecedented change in the scope of the Imperial Family. Moreover, it would inevitably result in matrilineal succession to the throne. That would constitute a dangerous "Trojan horse" that could end Japan's imperial line, which has consistently passed down through the male line. Hopefully, the CDP will stop its current machinations. They contradict the respect for history and tradition espoused in CDP's own report. Instead, we hope Noda and his party will move toward cooperation with the eight parties and parliamentary groups. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun このページを 日本語 で読む
Yomiuri Shimbun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun Proposals for Stable Imperial Succession
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Emperor, Empress and other Imperial Family members attend a spring garden party in Motoakasaka, Tokyo, on April 22. Ensure hereditary descent based on Constitution Crown Prince Akishino's only son, Prince Hisahito, is the youngest heir to the Imperial throne. Prior to Prince Hisahito's birth, the most recent male member born into the Imperial family had been Prince Akishino himself, 41 years earlier. Nine female members were born during the same period, but the Imperial House Law stipulates that only male descendants from the male line are eligible to ascend to the throne. The Imperial succession is facing a critical situation: If Prince Hisahito does not go on to marry a woman and have a son of his own, the Imperial lineage that has lasted 126 generations may cease to exist. Under former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the government started to consider measures to ensure the stable continuation of the Imperial lineage. In 2005, a committee of experts compiled a plan permitting accession by descendants from the female line. However, Prince Hisahito was born in 2006, and plans for revising the Imperial House Law were shelved. The administrations of former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, in 2012, Yoshihide Suga and Fumio Kishida, both in 2021, discussed the matter but failed to reach a conclusion, as opinions were split between those who insisted on maintaining the male lineage and those who wanted to allow succession by descendants of the female lineage. The critical situation is even affecting Imperial family members' activities. In the last 20 years, four female members got married and gave up their Imperial status as stipulated by the law, and four other family members died. Now there are 16 members, down from 23 in 2005. The family currently includes five unmarried female members, all of whom are above the age of 20, making them old enough to get married. Six members are older than 70, including the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, who have already retired from public service. Practical steps need to be taken soon to secure the continuation of the Imperial family line. The biggest common point in the discussions over the past 20 years has been institutional stability. To achieve this, discussions based on the fundamental principle of 'The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic' as clearly stated in the Constitution need to take top priority. The Imperial House Law, which limits the Imperial succession to the male lineage, is subordinate to the Constitution, which is this country's supreme law, giving the Diet the power to revise it. The ruling and opposition blocs should set aside the 'male line or female line' issue that causes division of opinions and instead focus on maintaining the hereditary system. They should show their best wisdom in their discussions on how to achieve this. Prince Hisahito reached adulthood in September 2024, when he turned 18. Assuming he will get married someday, the pressure any future wife of his would face to give birth to a boy could be an obstacle to the marriage itself. It is necessary to remember that the Empress was put in a position where she was under this kind of pressure and her health deteriorated. The Imperial family members are human. The government should work hard to establish sustainable measures that will not burden them physically or emotionally. People's support key to continuing system A point that must not be missed in discussions of measures for maintaining the Imperial succession is the preservation of the philosophy, which a majority of citizens support, that the Emperor is a symbol of the Japanese state. A supplementary resolution to the special law enacted in 2017 on abdication of the throne has requested the Diet to reach a 'legislative consensus' on that matter. For that purpose, the ruling and opposition parties are currently holding discussions chaired by the heads of the two houses of the Diet. Behind this request is the public belief that the position of an emperor as a symbol of the state, which was built up by the Emperor Emeritus, should be stably passed on to future holders of the throne. In 2016, the Emperor Emeritus, then the Emperor, expressed his thoughts on the role of an emperor, stating that he would have no choice but to abdicate if he could not fulfill his duty to 'stand by the people, listen to their voices and be close to them in their thoughts' and also 'pray for the peace and happiness of all the people.' Some experts suggested that 'The existence of the Emperor itself is important,' or that 'If he cannot fulfill his duties, a regent should be appointed.' But the people of the nation supported the Emperor Emeritus' views: A Yomiuri Shimbun public opinion poll showed that 81% of the respondents approved of his abdication. A poll conducted in 2020 after the current Emperor's succession to the throne saw that 80% were in favor of the current practice of recognizing an emperor as a symbol of the state. The origins of this symbolic image can be traced back to Emperor Showa's visits to places around the country over the course of 8½ years, starting the year after World War II ended. Emperor Showa, who had been revered as a living deity before and during the war, visited repatriated soldiers, war orphans and people engaged in agriculture and industry, and his actions became a symbol of post-war reconstruction. At the time of his passing away in 1989, The Yomiuri Shimbun published a testimony of a 76-year-old man who said, 'I could see holes in the soles of His Majesty's shoes' during his visit to a welfare facility in 1947. The current Emperor Emeritus visited Okinawa Prefecture — where his father had been unable to go after the war — 11 times, toured the sites of terrible battles inside and outside Japan and dedicated himself to mourning the war dead. He repeatedly visited victims of successive major earthquakes and floods, expressing his wishes for a recovery. The image of an emperor as a symbol of the nation, sharing the joys and sorrows of the people, has been passed down to the Emperor, Crown Prince Akishino and Prince Hisahito. There has been a suggestion that male descendants of male lines of 11 former Imperial family branches that lost their status after WWII should be adopted into the Imperial family. But it is doubtful if the bonds between the people and the emperors who have served as symbols of the nation, which have been woven over nearly 80 years since the end of the war, would be inherited by people who have lived as commoners during that time. There is also discussion of asking male adoptees to marry female Imperial family members, but this is not an issue that should be decided without regard for the individuals' wishes. It also contradicts the constitutional provision that marriages shall be based only on the mutual consent of both parties. In the past, when an emperor lived surrounded by a small circle of powerful individuals, decisions about the Imperial line were made within that circle. The modern Imperial system is based on the will of the people. Any measures taken must respect and maintain the people's image of what an emperor should be. Female Imperial branches needed to maintain duties A proposal to allow women in the Imperial family to retain their Imperial status after marrying commoners, and to establish female Imperial branches, is expected to receive support from both the ruling and opposition parties. A Yomiuri Shimbun opinion poll conducted in March and April found that 55% of respondents favored allowing women to remain in the Imperial family after marriage, while 7% were opposed. Female members of the Imperial family are indispensable for its continuation. The number of men in the Imperial family has been declining since the death of Prince Takamatsu in 1987, and there are now only five men, a low for the post-World War II era. At major Imperial events, such as Imperial banquets and garden parties, Crown Prince Akishino is the sole male family member consistently present to support the Emperor. Nevertheless, Imperial activities have continued without issue, mainly due to the help of the women. At this spring's garden party, the Imperial family's procession was divided into three routes, and there was a designated area where unmarried women in the family greeted attendees. These women are potential heads of female Imperial branches, which could make the Imperial lineage more stable. There are currently five unmarried women in the Imperial family. Two of these are naishinno princesses: Princess Aiko, daughter of the Emperor and Empress, and Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. A naishinno is a daughter or granddaughter of an emperor. Additionally, there are three joo princesses: Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Yoko of Mikasa and Princess Tsuguko of Takamado. Great-granddaughters of an emperor and those further down the family line are given the joo title. 'Since I was young, I have observed the Imperial family members empathizing with the public and diligently performing their official duties,' Princess Aiko said three years ago at her coming-of-age press conference. She was articulating an experience common among naishinno and joo princesses. Princess Aiko also expressed a belief that the most important thing was to 'always wish for the well-being of the people, to share their joys and hardships, and to fulfill our responsibilities,' a spirit that was conveyed to her father by the Emperor Emeritus. Two decades ago, there were discussions about whether Princess Nori, now Sayako Kuroda, could stay in the Imperial family when she married. 'We had hoped that Princess Nori, the eldest daughter of the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, would remain in the Imperial family after her marriage to support her parents, but that did not happen,' lamented a former senior official for the Imperial Household Agency. Women in the Imperial family, who have learned the significance of serving the public through their close relatives and who have served the public themselves, should be able to fill the role of Imperial branch head admirably. However, the Imperial House Law mandates that naishinno and joo princesses become private citizens following marriage. There is also a separate provision that allows naishinno and joo age 15 or older to leave the Imperial family of their own accord. A system is needed that allows women to choose whether they remain in the family after marriage. Natural to allow female branch heads' husbands, children to be Imperial members It is hoped that the husbands of the female heads of Imperial family branches would also become Imperial family members, to build happy families with their wives and engage in various public activities. It is natural to take the same approach as with wives of the male heads of Imperial family branches. These women become princesses when they marry. Relevant marriage procedures would be determined by the Imperial House Council, which would assess whether the prospective spouse was suitable to join the Imperial family. Daily life expenses for Imperial family members would be paid to the husbands, to help them maintain the dignity of their branches. If the husbands of Imperial family members remained private citizens, it would be difficult to restrict their constitutional right to freedom of choice in employment. It would be undesirable if the husbands' economic activities were related to specific interests or politics, thereby casting doubt on the impartiality and neutrality of the Imperial family. It is also important from the perspective of public duties for both spouses to be Imperial family members. Speaking at his first press conference after his accession, the Emperor said the Empress is 'always by my side, offering advice and support as we work together on public duties.' If a female head of an Imperial family branch succeeds to the Imperial throne, it would mark the ninth instance of a female emperor. However, the government has no plans to change the order of succession up to Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino. Under the current circumstances, all unmarried female members are older than Prince Hisahito. Unless their children are recognized as Imperial family members, there will be no way to carry on the Imperial line in a stable manner. The present Imperial House Law enacted after the World War II stipulates that the Imperial line is limited to 'legitimate' children born to women who became Imperial family members after marrying members of the Imperial family, making it highly difficult to maintain the succession of male offspring in the male line. According to government documents, out of the 121 emperors prior to Emperor Meiji (reigned 1867-1912), only 66 were born as legitimate children. The remaining 55 were born to concubines and their succession to the Imperial throne was recognized under the law enacted during the Meiji era (1868-1912). But the provision was removed in the present law, as it would not be socially acceptable. The Imperial family is no exception to the trend of declining birth rates and marrying later in life. It is clear that the system in which only male offspring in the Imperial male line can succeed to the throne will go nowhere. The total fertility rate, which indicates the average number of children a woman will have in her lifetime, was a record low 1.20 in 2023. The environment surrounding the Imperial succession is increasingly serious. Even if a plan were implemented in which male children from the male line of former Imperial family branches were allowed to return to the family by being adopted by current Imperial members, the number of potential adoptive parents would be extremely limited. The list would exclude the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, the Emperor and Empress and Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. Therefore, there are no clear solutions to the issue of the Imperial succession. It is hoped that discussions will be held to explore solutions with the precedent of female emperors in mind. It is also hoped that discussions will include the possibility of bringing the husbands and children of female Imperial family members into the Imperial family, as well as the possibility of allowing an emperor from a female line someday.
