Why Japan's new imperial law keeps women off the throne

Japan’s Parliament on Friday approved the first major revision of the country’s imperial succession laws, to address the risk that the last young male heir may not have a son. By law, only a paternal-lineage male can become emperor in Japan. Female royals have been required to leave the imperial family when they marry commoners. Japanese Emperor Naruhito, who acceded to the throne in 2019, and his wife, Empress Masako, have one child, 24-year-old Princess Aiko, who was born in 2001. She cannot inherit the throne under the current system. Instead, Naruhito’s younger brother, Prince Akishino (also known as Fumihito), […]...

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