A Woman Can Become Prime Minister, But Not Empress... Fierce Debate Over the Imperial Family [What’s Up in Japan]

"Fears That the Imperial Family May Disappear" Prompt Push for Rule Change
Prime Minister Takaichi: "Only Sons of the Paternal Bloodline Should Be Recognized"
Strong Public Support for Making the Popular Princess Empress
Japan Watches Closely for the Final Decision

Editor's NoteA correspondent from the International News Desk based in Tokyo shares stories seen and heard in Japan throughout the week. Updated every Saturday.

This Week in Japan

The Japanese political arena continues to be embroiled in controversy over remarks insisting that only males should inherit the imperial throne.

The controversy was sparked by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during the House of Representatives Budget Committee meeting on February 27. Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized, "While it is a historical fact that there were female emperors in the past, it is appropriate to restrict succession to the male lineage."

Why has the issue of imperial succession suddenly become a hot topic? It is because there is now a shortage of eligible male heirs to the throne. Currently, there are 16 members of the Japanese imperial family, but only three are qualified males: Crown Prince Fumihito (60), Emperor Naruhito's younger brother; his son, Prince Hisahito (19); and Prince Masahito (90), the younger brother of former Emperor Akihito. Among the younger generation, Prince Hisahito, a university student, is the only male successor.

Another issue is the rule that female royals must leave the imperial family upon marriage. As a result, the number of family members decreases over time. Currently, out of six unmarried royals, five are women, and if all of them marry, hardly anyone would remain in the imperial family. This has led some women to remain unmarried out of concern that their marriage could mean the end of their family line. Amid growing fears that the imperial family may not be able to sustain itself, the Liberal Democratic Party is pushing for an urgent revision of the "Imperial House Law," which governs imperial family rules.

Photo of Crown Prince Fumihito, first in line to the throne (second from the left), and his family. The first from the right is his son, Prince Hirohito. Imperial Household Agency.

Currently, two main proposals are being discussed in the National Diet: ▲allowing female royals to retain their imperial status after marriage, and ▲adopting male descendants from former imperial branches, now commoners, into the imperial family. In 1920, the Japanese government established a rule limiting imperial status to male-line descendants for four generations. After World War II, during the Allied occupation, many imperial family members became ordinary citizens. Japanese conservatives have argued that the Allies intentionally downsized the imperial family to weaken it. With this context, it becomes clearer why the Liberal Democratic Party is taking an active stance on the succession issue.

For now, the Liberal Democratic Party is pushing for the second option. The reasoning is that if a female emperor marries a commoner and their child becomes emperor, the imperial bloodline would be severed. On March 4, Liberal Democratic Party Vice President Taro Aso and Policy Research Council Chairman Takayuki Kobayashi also met to discuss their positions on this issue.

There is another reason why this debate is becoming more heated: Princess Aiko, a woman, is currently the most popular figure in the imperial family. Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito's only daughter, has charted a different path from Prince Hisahito, the sole male heir. She excelled academically and entered university without controversy or allegations of favoritism, and her modest appearance borrowing her aunt's tiara for her coming-of-age ceremony won her widespread admiration. Her diligent work at the Japanese Red Cross has also greatly boosted her public presence.

Princess Aiko. Imperial Household Agency.

As a result, there is a growing movement calling for Princess Aiko to ascend the throne. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun poll conducted in December last year, 69% of respondents supported the idea of a female emperor.

Japanese media have also expressed concerns. In a column, the Mainichi Shimbun cited Article 1 of the Constitution, stating, "The Constitution defines the emperor as a symbol of the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is based on the will of the Japanese people in whom sovereign power resides," and warned that "without the support and empathy of the people, the system will be shaken."

It is an ironic point that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female prime minister, reaffirmed the principle of male succession, despite the historical existence of female emperors. With public opposition mounting, whether this principle will remain unchanged is uncertain, and the imperial succession debate is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

You can find related articles here.

▶Various facts about Princess Aiko https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2024012616431480196

▶Controversy over the university admission of the Japanese prince in line for the throne https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2025030716324181540

This Week's Japan Economy & Industry Briefing

▶Japan Jolted by U.S. Invasion of Iran
News of the U.S. and Israel's invasion of Iran continues to dominate front pages. As a major importer of crude oil, Japan has been hit directly by the Middle East crisis. The Nikkei 225 average has seen sharp declines followed by partial rebounds. Japanese media are also reporting on the struggles of local companies, such as small and medium-sized enterprises supplying green tea to Dubai and plastic model manufacturers worried about rising plastic prices due to increased crude oil costs.

▶'Sanae Token' Emerges, Unknown Even to the Prime Minister
A cryptocurrency named "Sanae Token," after Prime Minister Takaichi, has been launched. The issuer claimed to be in contact with the prime minister's office and attracted investors, but Prime Minister Takaichi denied any knowledge or involvement. While the incident ended as a brief commotion, it is seen as evidence of the prime minister's popularity.

▶Want to Watch Ohtani? You Have to Pay... Netflix's Exclusive WBC Broadcast Stirs Controversy
Netflix has acquired exclusive rights to broadcast the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Japan. Viewers who do not use Netflix are now required to pay separately to watch the games. In Japan, some are voicing complaints such as, "Do we really have to pay to watch Shohei Ohtani play?"

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