Speaker of the House Eisuke Mori said he intends to finalize a consensus proposal by next week to revise the Imperial House Law during the current Diet session.
The move comes as the shrinking number of imperial family members is viewed as a critical challenge to the stability of the throne's succession.
During a general meeting of ruling and opposition parties held on May 15 [1], Mori said his goal is to reach the actual establishment of the revision within the current session. The meeting included representatives from 13 political parties [2]. Mori said, "I want to lead the way to the establishment of the Imperial House Law revision bill during this Diet session."
Taro Aso, vice president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), described the dwindling number of royals as a "vital issue" and said the revision is urgently required. However, political factions remain divided on the specific mechanism to maintain the family's numbers.
Rep. Hiroshi笠 (Center Reform Union) said the government should prioritize a plan that allows female imperial family members to retain their royal status after marriage. In contrast, Aso and the LDP have prioritized a plan to adopt male descendants from former imperial branches. Aso said he opposes granting royal status to the husbands and children of female royals.
Despite these contradictions, the legislative process is moving forward. Rep. Hiroshi笠 said that while the upcoming summary represents a milestone, it is not the end of the debate. He said, "Rather, it is the start."
The Speaker's office expects to present the summarized consensus around May 22 [3].
“"I want to lead the way to the establishment of the Imperial House Law revision bill during this Diet session."”
The push for a rapid revision of the Imperial House Law highlights a growing urgency within the Japanese government to prevent a succession crisis. By attempting to reach a consensus across 13 parties, the Speaker is trying to bridge a fundamental ideological divide between traditionalists who insist on patrilineal descent and reformers who advocate for female-led succession. The outcome of the May 22 proposal will determine whether Japan maintains a strict male-only line or evolves its monarchy to ensure long-term survival.
