Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, recently expressed mixed feelings about the government’s revision to the Imperial House Law, which insists that only men can become emperor. Akishino’s comments come just weeks after a historic revision to the law by the conservative government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Background

The law has been criticized as anachronistic and sexist, and the revision has sparked outrage and concern that the measure could doom the already shrinking imperial family. Critics argue that the government’s insistence on male-only succession is an imposition of an inhumane system on the royals without considering their burden and feelings.

Akishino, the next in line for the throne, was nuanced in his comments, stating that he has mixed feelings about the law and that it is a difficult question. He added that society needs to keep making progress and that it is essential for people with different views to think about what is best.

Implications

The male-only succession rule means that the throne must go to Akishino, then to his 19-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito, and next to the emperor’s 90-year-old uncle. The revision allows princesses to keep their status and perform royal duties if they marry a commoner, but their husbands and children will remain non-royals.

The revisions have led to protests from Japanese citizens who see the government’s efforts as an attempt to eliminate Princess Aiko, the emperor’s daughter, from ruling and justify discrimination against women and a patriarchal system. There have been eight female monarchs in Japan, with the last being Empress Gosakuramachi, who ruled from 1762 to 1770.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.