Politics · Japan · 3 days ago
Calls grow for Japan to allow women to inherit the throne
Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, is popular with the public in Japan.
But a law bars women from inheriting the throne, so Aiko cannot become empress under the current rules.
The imperial family has shrunk from 30 members three decades ago to 16, and only five are men.
Just three men are in the succession line, including Prince Hisahito, who is 20.
A poll in April found that 72% of respondents supported allowing a woman to become emperor.
The government has instead approved changes that preserve male-only succession and allow some women to keep their royal status after marrying non-royals.
The changes take effect later this month, while debate over the succession rules continues.
Calls are growing in Japan to change the law so women, including Princess Aiko, can ascend to the throne.
A Mainichi Shimbun poll in April found 72% supported a woman becoming emperor, while 10% opposed it.
The imperial family has 16 members, only five of them men, and the current line of succession includes three men.
Recent amendments preserve male-only succession and allow women to retain royal status after marrying non-royals.
The United Nations’ women’s rights committee urged Japan in 2024 to allow a female emperor, but Tokyo rejected its intervention.
- Who
- Supporters of changing Japan’s succession law, including people who want Princess Aiko to be eligible. The conservative government of Sanae Takaichi has backed amendments preserving male-only succession.
- What
- Calls are growing to allow a woman to become emperor, while recent amendments preserve male-only succession.
- When
- The debate has gathered momentum in recent years; the article was published on 9 October 2026.
- Where
- Japan.
- Why
- The imperial family is shrinking and the current line of succession has only three men, raising concerns about a future succession crisis.
Supporters of allowing a female emperor
Conservative supporters of male-only succession
Succession law
Supporters of allowing a female emperor
They support changing the law to allow a woman to become emperor.
Conservative supporters of male-only succession
They support preserving male-only succession.
Response to a shrinking imperial family
Supporters of allowing a female emperor
They argue that allowing a woman to ascend could avert a succession crisis.
Conservative supporters of male-only succession
Recent amendments allow women to retain royal status after marrying non-royals and provide for male-line descendants from former branches to return to the family.
Legislation introduced during the Meiji era established the basis for male-only succession.
The male-only succession law was passed.
The UN women’s rights committee urged Japan to allow a female emperor, and Tokyo rejected the intervention.
A Mainichi Shimbun poll found 72% favoured a woman becoming emperor and 10% opposed it.
Sanae Takaichi’s party and its conservative allies pushed through amendments safeguarding male-only succession.
The amendments are due to take effect.
- Imperial family members
- 16, down from 30 three decades ago
- Male members
- 5
- Current succession line
- 3 men
- Public support
- 72% favoured a woman becoming emperor in an April poll
- Opposition in poll
- 10% opposed a woman becoming emperor
- Princess Aiko
- 24 years old
What people are saying
72% favoured the idea of a woman becoming emperor
regrettable
inappropriate
fundamental national identity
Sources
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