Two debates, one household: The politics of family in Japan

Princess Aiko attends the autumn garden party at the Akasaka Palace Imperial Garden in Tokyo in October 2024. She stands at the center of an imperial succession debate that turns on the male line. | REUTERS

Aug 16, 2026

Japan’s Upper House recently passed the first substantive revision of the Imperial House Law since it took effect in 1947. Beginning Oct. 24, the imperial family may adopt male-line descendants of the 11 princely branches stripped of their royal status after World War II, although the adoptees themselves will not be eligible to inherit the throne. Imperial women also may retain their titles after marrying commoners. What the law still does not do is allow a woman to inherit the throne.

Yet a ban on women inheriting the Japanese throne runs counter to public opinion. In June, a Mainichi Shimbun survey found more than 70% in favor of a female emperor. Kyodo News put support at 83%.

Standing against support for a female emperor are the 316 seats the Liberal Democratic Party won in February’s election, more than two-thirds of the Lower House on its own, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the most prominent defender of male-only succession in Japanese politics.

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