Japan's Monarchy Law Undergoes Change Yet Continues to Exclude Women
Japan's upper legislative assembly has given the green light for changes to the law dictating who qualifies as an heir to the throne in the world's longest surviving hereditary monarchy. This comes shortly after the lower legislative assembly also approved the changes.
The intention behind the amendment, as stated, is to ensure the sustainability of the imperial family members and to uphold their public roles and responsibilities as the family's numbers dwindle and age.
However, critics argue that the changes have another, less stated goal: to prevent a woman from becoming emperor in the future. This viewpoint is supported by a previous Japanese diplomat who has connections with the imperial family.
Understanding the Revisions
The changes to the law allow princesses to continue being part of the imperial family even after marrying someone who is not royalty. It also permits the family to accept male descendants from previously defunct branches of the imperial family.
While princesses can continue to be part of the royal family after marriage, they are required to fulfill royal duties without having the opportunity to ascend to the throne. The adopted men, despite being commoners by birth, are also ineligible for the throne. However, any future male children they have could potentially become emperor.
This comes at a time when the imperial family is down to its last young heir, a 19-year-old prince, who is the nephew of the current 66-year-old emperor. This situation has caused a sense of worry about the future of the imperial family among the public.
"The main point is that if a female emperor were accepted, we wouldn't need such a complicated adoption process," argues the former diplomat.
The Case for Female Emperors
The most likely candidate for a female emperor is the Emperor's only child, a 24-year-old princess. She is a graduate in Japanese literature and now works full time for a prominent humanitarian organization. Her public appearances often draw large, enthusiastic crowds.
The former diplomat says that the princess is one reason why the majority of Japanese people support the idea of female emperors. Surveys show between 60% to 90% of the population are in favor of this change.
However, this group does not include Japan's first female prime minister who shared her thoughts at a party convention in April. She stated, "The unparalleled historic fact that the imperial line has been maintained through the male line for 126 generations is the foundation of the emperor's authority and legitimacy."
Yet, in almost twelve centuries, Japan has had eight female emperors who were descended from the male line, or in other words, the child or grandchild of a male emperor, just like the princess.
History of the Male-Only Succession Tradition
In 1889, the first Imperial Household Law was implemented by the Meiji government, putting an end to the practice of female emperors. This law viewed emperors as the supreme leaders of imperial armies, the patriarchs of a "family-state," and the semi-divine descendants of Shinto deities. By contrast, married women were deemed legally powerless, unable to own property or enter into contracts without their husbands' consent.
Due to high rates of infertility and infant and maternal mortality rates, male heirs were scarce, and many did not live to adulthood. Nearly half of Japan's 125 emperors were born to concubines, or as a 2005 report by a government advisory panel described it, "of illegitimate descent."
The former diplomat argues that barring women from the throne today violates constitutional guarantees against gender-based discrimination. He further adds that the constitution is clear about where the emperor's authority comes from.
"What the government is attempting to do clearly goes against public opinion," he says. "Article 1 of the Japanese Constitution states that the Emperor is the symbol of the nation and that his position is determined by the will of the people."
The Japanese constitution gives sovereignty to the people. As a figurehead, the emperor is not supposed to have political involvement. However, he has carefully expressed his opinion on this matter.
"I hope the discussions about ensuring an adequate number of imperial family members can gain the understanding of the people," he told a press conference last month.
Japan's upper legislative assembly has given the green light for changes to the law dictating who qualifies as an heir to the throne in the world's longest surviving hereditary monarchy. This comes shortly after the lower legislative assembly also approved the changes.
The intention behind the amendment, as stated, is to ensure the sustainability of the imperial family members and to uphold their public roles and responsibilities as the family's numbers dwindle and age.
However, critics argue that the changes have another, less stated goal: to prevent a woman from becoming emperor in the future. This viewpoint is supported by a previous Japanese diplomat who has connections with the imperial family.
Understanding the Revisions
The changes to the law allow princesses to continue being part of the imperial family even after marrying someone who is not royalty. It also permits the family to accept male descendants from previously defunct branches of the imperial family.
While princesses can continue to be part of the royal family after marriage, they are required to fulfill royal duties without having the opportunity to ascend to the throne. The adopted men, despite being commoners by birth, are also ineligible for the throne. However, any future male children they have could potentially become emperor.
This comes at a time when the imperial family is down to its last young heir, a 19-year-old prince, who is the nephew of the current 66-year-old emperor. This situation has caused a sense of worry about the future of the imperial family among the public.
"The main point is that if a female emperor were accepted, we wouldn't need such a complicated adoption process," argues the former diplomat.
The Case for Female Emperors
The most likely candidate for a female emperor is the Emperor's only child, a 24-year-old princess. She is a graduate in Japanese literature and now works full time for a prominent humanitarian organization. Her public appearances often draw large, enthusiastic crowds.
The former diplomat says that the princess is one reason why the majority of Japanese people support the idea of female emperors. Surveys show between 60% to 90% of the population are in favor of this change.
However, this group does not include Japan's first female prime minister who shared her thoughts at a party convention in April. She stated, "The unparalleled historic fact that the imperial line has been maintained through the male line for 126 generations is the foundation of the emperor's authority and legitimacy."
Yet, in almost twelve centuries, Japan has had eight female emperors who were descended from the male line, or in other words, the child or grandchild of a male emperor, just like the princess.
History of the Male-Only Succession Tradition
In 1889, the first Imperial Household Law was implemented by the Meiji government, putting an end to the practice of female emperors. This law viewed emperors as the supreme leaders of imperial armies, the patriarchs of a "family-state," and the semi-divine descendants of Shinto deities. By contrast, married women were deemed legally powerless, unable to own property or enter into contracts without their husbands' consent.
Due to high rates of infertility and infant and maternal mortality rates, male heirs were scarce, and many did not live to adulthood. Nearly half of Japan's 125 emperors were born to concubines, or as a 2005 report by a government advisory panel described it, "of illegitimate descent."
The former diplomat argues that barring women from the throne today violates constitutional guarantees against gender-based discrimination. He further adds that the constitution is clear about where the emperor's authority comes from.
"What the government is attempting to do clearly goes against public opinion," he says. "Article 1 of the Japanese Constitution states that the Emperor is the symbol of the nation and that his position is determined by the will of the people."
The Japanese constitution gives sovereignty to the people. As a figurehead, the emperor is not supposed to have political involvement. However, he has carefully expressed his opinion on this matter.
"I hope the discussions about ensuring an adequate number of imperial family members can gain the understanding of the people," he told a press conference last month.