TOKYO — Public opinion in Japan remains divided over government-backed proposals to address the shrinking imperial family while broader support persists for allowing a woman to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, highlighting continued debate over the future of the country's succession system.
Japan's parliament approved amendments to the Imperial House Law on July 17 aimed at stabilizing the imperial family's membership without changing the long-standing rule that only men in the paternal line may inherit the throne. The revisions allow princesses to retain imperial status after marrying commoners and permit the adoption of eligible male descendants from former imperial branches, but they do not authorize a female emperor.
Recent opinion surveys illustrate differing public views on the proposals. A Jiji Press poll published this month found that 39.5% supported allowing the sons of adopted paternal-line descendants to inherit the throne, while 26.9% opposed the idea and about one-third remained undecided. The same survey found similarly mixed views on extending imperial status to the husbands and children of female imperial family members who remain in the family after marriage.
Earlier polling by Jiji Press in June found 38.2% supported both parliamentary proposals to bolster the imperial family's numbers, while roughly one-quarter of respondents said they were uncertain.
At the same time, separate nationwide polls have continued to show majority support for discussing or permitting a female emperor. Surveys conducted by several Japanese media organizations in recent months reported that a majority of respondents favored expanding debate on female succession or allowing women to occupy the throne, although support levels varied by poll.
The legislation leaves Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito, ineligible to succeed because of the male-only succession rule. Under current law, the line of succession passes to Crown Prince Fumihito, followed by Prince Hisahito and Prince Hitachi.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government has argued that preserving succession through the paternal male line is essential to maintaining the historical continuity of the imperial institution while addressing the immediate shortage of working members of the imperial family. Critics, including some constitutional scholars and royal experts, have said the legislation does not reflect broader public sentiment favoring consideration of female succession.
With the revised law enacted, the government is expected to implement the new membership measures while the prohibition on female succession remains unchanged.
