The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) has drafted a revision to the Imperial House Law that removes provisions for adopting male-line members of former princely houses [1].

This move challenges the government's current approach to maintaining the number of imperial family members. By opposing the adoption of distant male relatives, the CDP is pushing for a broader re-evaluation of how the monarchy handles female members and their status after marriage [1, 2].

The party's proposal specifically targets a provision that would allow the adoption of male-line descendants from 11 former princely houses who are 15 years or older and have no spouse or children [1]. The CDP is also calling for a review of clauses regarding the status of female imperial family members, and their treatment after marriage [1, 2].

Shunichi Mizuoka, the representative of the CDP, said that if major parties blindly support a government bill that he described as a "deceptive blow," the public could lose trust in the legislature [2].

Saori Yoshikawa, deputy head of the CDP's study group on stable imperial succession, said that while the largest opposition party in the House of Representatives may have made a painful decision to agree to some points, the party still exists as a primary opposition force [1]. She said that decisions should not be pushed through simply by the power of numbers [1].

The government's original proposal was slated for presentation to the Diet on June 8 [3]. The CDP's proposed amendments are scheduled for deliberation and a vote in a House of Councillors special committee on July 15 [1].

“the government's current approach to maintaining the number of imperial family members”

The CDP's opposition to the adoption of former princely house members signals a deeper ideological divide over the future of the Japanese monarchy. While the government seeks a quick fix to the shrinking imperial population by reintegrating old male lineages, the CDP is advocating for a more systemic modernization of the Imperial House Law, potentially opening the door for female succession or more flexible roles for women in the royal line.