Japan Enforces Male-only Imperial Succession, Sidelining Princess Aiko

WHO:

NY Post - Emperor Naruhito, Princess Aiko, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito, Prince Hitachi, Empress Masako, Hideya Kawanishi, Chizuko Ueno, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Asahiro Kuni, Junichiro Tsujimaru, Yoshio Iwase, Akihito.

WHAT:

PBS - Japan's parliament enacted a revision to the Imperial House Law, enforcing male-only succession to the throne.

PBS - The new law allows for the adoption of distant male relatives to ensure future heirs and permits princesses to retain royal status after marrying commoners.

PBS - Only five of the 16 adults in the imperial family are men, and there are no children currently in the family.

PBS - The last female monarch was Empress Gosakuramachi, who ruled from 1762 to 1770.

WHERE:

PBS - Japan's parliament in Tokyo.

WHEN:

PBS - The revisions to the Imperial House Law were enacted on a Friday.

WHY:

PBS - The revisions were motivated by the belief that the male bloodline is "the only source of the emperor's authority and legitimacy," according to Prime Minister Takaichi.

PBS - Critics argue that the new measures are aimed at eliminating Princess Aiko from succession and perpetuating a patriarchal system.

HOW:

PBS - The law revision allows for the adoption of unmarried male descendants of distant imperial relatives, but only those of paternal lineage, to be integrated into the royal family.

(UPDATED July 18, 2026 13:21 UTC)

Japan's parliament in Tokyo has enacted a significant revision to the Imperial House Law, establishing male-only succession to the throne while allowing for the adoption of distant male relatives to ensure future heirs. This new law also permits princesses to retain their royal status after marrying commoners, a notable shift given that only five of the sixteen adults in the imperial family are men, and there are currently no children. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that this change is rooted in the belief that the male bloodline is "the only source of the emperor's authority and legitimacy," though critics argue it aims to exclude Princess Aiko from succession and reinforce a patriarchal system.