Japan's House of Representatives approved an amendment to the Imperial House Law on July 10 [1].
The measure seeks to prevent the shrinking of the imperial family and ensure a stable line of succession as the number of royal members declines [1], [4].
Under the new rules, female members of the imperial family may retain their royal status after marriage [1], [2]. Additionally, the law permits the adoption of male-line descendants from former princely houses [1], [2]. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said that if an adopted child is male, they will possess the qualification to succeed to the throne [1].
To ensure the law remains applicable to future generations, the amendment mandates a formal review every 30 years [1], [2].
Legislators reached a consensus on these imperial family measures between the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors on June 10 [2]. During the proceedings, Hideki Miyauchi, an LDP member and parliamentary affairs director, said the amendment is a commemorative proposal that is rarely experienced [1].
Not all political figures supported the changes. A co-leader of the centrist reform coalition, former representative Noda, said it is unnatural for imperial family members and general citizens to reside within a single family [3].
The passage in the lower house marks a significant shift in the traditional structure of the monarchy, which has historically seen women lose their titles upon marrying commoners [1], [2].
“Female members of the imperial family may retain their royal status after marriage.”
This legislative shift addresses a demographic crisis facing the Japanese monarchy. By allowing women to remain in the royal fold and integrating descendants from defunct princely branches, the government is expanding the pool of eligible successors to avoid a succession vacuum without fully transitioning to a gender-equal monarchy.
