Japan Completes Throne Succession After 1 Year and 6 Months... Attention Focuses on Female Royal Family Participation

Consideration of Establishing a 'Yeoseonggungga'
Strong LDP Opposition to a Female Emperor

▲Crown Prince Fumihito declared as the 'first in line to the throne' at the 'Rikkoshi Proclamation Ceremony' held on the 8th at Matsunoma in Kyuden, Tokyo. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] NHK reported on the 9th that the Japanese government plans to enter discussions on issues such as securing a stable imperial succession following the completion of the succession process after the abdication of former Emperor Akihito (87). It is also known that measures allowing female members of the imperial family to continue participating in imperial activities even after marriage and leaving the imperial family will be considered.

According to the report, the "Rikkoshi Senposhiki" ceremony, which announces Akishino-no-miya Fumihito (55), younger brother of Emperor Naruhito (60), as the first in line to the throne, was held yesterday in Matsunoma at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, the residence of the Emperor.

Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne on May 1 following Akihito, has only a daughter and no sons. According to the imperial household law that does not recognize a female emperor, his younger brother Fumihito became the crown prince.

The Rikkoshi Senposhiki ceremony was originally scheduled for April 19 this year but was postponed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

With the holding of the Rikkoshi Senposhiki ceremony yesterday, the imperial succession process that began with former Emperor Akihito's abdication on April 30 last year was completed after about one year and six months.

The Japanese government plans to enter related discussions in response to the National Diet's request to promptly review issues such as securing a stable imperial succession and the decline in the number of imperial family members.

NHK reported that the government is expected to consider establishing a "female imperial branch" allowing female members of the imperial family to remain in the imperial household after marriage, and measures enabling female members who leave the imperial family due to marriage to participate in imperial activities as national public servants.

There have been ongoing calls within Japan to allow a female emperor, so discussions related to this possibility may also take place.

Japan has had female emperors since ancient times, but during the Meiji era (1868?1912), when the emperor's status as the commander-in-chief of the military was emphasized, female succession to the throne was prohibited.

Currently, according to the imperial household law, there are only three male members eligible for imperial succession: Crown Prince Fumihito, his only son Hisahito (14), who is second in line, and former Emperor Akihito's younger brother Masahito (85), who is third in line.

Since Hisahito, a middle school student, is the only heir after Fumihito, any problem with his safety could threaten a stable succession, increasing calls for allowing a female emperor. However, within the conservative ruling Liberal Democratic Party, there is a strong sentiment against permitting a female emperor.

Accordingly, it is anticipated that the Suga Yoshihide Cabinet will defer a conclusion on this issue.

Kyodo News reported that public opinion is divided between maintaining male-line succession and allowing female or matrilineal emperors, and the government has leaned toward the judgment that it is premature to present a definitive plan.

As a compromise, the news agency added that discussions will focus on measures to address the decline in the number of imperial family members, including the establishment of a female imperial branch.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.