Japan Approves Imperial Family Reform

After more than twenty years of debate, the Japanese parliament approved the first revision to the Imperial Household Law since 1947. The new legislation will allow unmarried male descendants of former collateral branches of the imperial family to rejoin the imperial family through adoption.

The measure aims to alleviate the long-standing problem of a shortage of male members of the imperial family who can fulfill official duties.

However, Parliament has not decided to address the issue of women’s succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne, which remains one of the most contentious topics in Japanese politics.

The approved changes will also allow women in the imperial family to retain their status even after marriage.

Until now, upon marrying a citizen outside the imperial family, they were required to leave the imperial family and assume the status of ordinary citizens.

(mja)