Japan’s parliament approved revisions to the Imperial House Law, maintaining male-line succession for the throne. The changes allow distant male-line relatives to join the royal family and permit princesses to retain status after marriage. Critics said the move fails to address the monarchy’s shrinking membership, while Princess Aiko remains ineligible despite public popularity.

Parliament Backs Male-Line Succession

Japan's parliament on Friday enacted a historic revision to the 19th-century Imperial House Law, reinforcing the principle that only men from the paternal bloodline can become emperor. The legislation also allows distant male-line imperial relatives to be adopted into the royal family to father future heirs, while permitting princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners.

The changes have intensified concerns among royal watchers and constitutional experts, who argue they fail to address the imperial family's shrinking and ageing membership. Instead, they say the revisions further entrench a male-only succession system that could threaten the monarchy's long-term future, the Associated Press reports.

Emperor Naruhito's 24-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, remains ineligible to succeed because she is a woman, despite her popularity among the public. Under the succession rules, the throne would pass to the emperor's younger brother, Crown Prince Akishino, followed by Akishino's 19-year-old son, Prince Hisahito. Next in line is the emperor's 90-year-old uncle, Prince Hitachi.