Japan eyes legal changes to bolster imperial succession

The speakers and vice speakers of both houses of Japan’s parliament have formally presented a proposal aimed at ensuring a stable number of Imperial Family members, calling for legislation based on two measures previously recommended by a government expert panel.

According to the report, the proposal was presented to ruling and opposition parties during a plenary meeting that began at 3 p.m. on June 8. It follows a series of discussions led by the speakers and vice speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, who finalised the plan on June 5, News on Japan reports.

The document reaffirms the importance of maintaining the current line of imperial succession from Emperor Naruhito to Crown Prince Akishino and Prince Hisahito, noting that the legislature also recognises the need to preserve the existing succession framework.

To address the declining number of Imperial Family members, the proposal endorses two key measures previously put forward by a government advisory panel. One would allow female members of the Imperial Family to retain their imperial status after marriage, while the other would permit male-line descendants of former collateral branches to be adopted into the Imperial Family.

The proposal states that both measures should be implemented and calls on the government to prepare the necessary legislation.

However, it does not specify whether the spouses and children of female Imperial Family members who retain their status after marriage would also be granted imperial status.

Following the outcome of the June 8 discussions, parliamentary leaders aim to formally adopt the proposal on June 10 as the unified position of Japan’s legislature.

By Vafa Guliyeva