Japan wrestles with the future of the Imperial House – and continues to exclude women

The Japanese Imperial House thus remains one of the oldest hereditary monarchies in the world that passes on the throne exclusively along the male line. Only male descendants of the male family line may ascend to the throne. The female members of the family of Emperor Naruhito have no claim to it.

Aiko remains left out

The current situation illustrates the problem: the imperial family has only 16 members. The theoretical heirs to the throne are the 66-year-old Emperor Naruhito, his 60-year-old brother Crown Prince Akishino, his 19-year-old son Prince Hisahito, as well as the 90-year-old Prince Hitachi, an uncle of the Emperor. Princess Aiko, 24 years old and the only child of Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako, is thus left out.

The designated Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to hold this office, defends the course. "Die beispiellose historische Tatsache, dass die kaiserliche Linie seit 126 Generationen über die männliche Linie fortbesteht, ist die Grundlage für die Autorität und Legitimität des Kaisers," she said. A woman on the Chrysanthemum Throne is thus receding even further into the distance – even though Japanese history has already seen eight empresses, most recently Go-Sakuramachi in 1762.

Critics warn of political signal

Critics see the plan primarily as a political signal. "Eine Frau auf dem Kaiserthron ist mit der Gesetzesänderung in noch weitere Ferne gerückt," says Sven Saaler, professor of modern Japanese history at Sophia University in Tokyo. He points out that gender equality is not among the prime minister's priorities. Saaler adds that several members of the families in question declared they were not available for adoption.

Imperial House expert Ernst Lokowandt sees further practical hurdles. "Die reinzuholen, ist sehr, sehr schwierig," he said with a view to the possible adoption candidates. "Die für eine Adoption ins Kaiserhaus infrage kommenden Mitglieder der ehemaligen Seitenlinien seien schließlich als Privatpersonen geboren und aufgewachsen." Those taken into the Imperial House would have to exchange their freedom for a strictly regulated life behind the palace walls.

Open questions on acceptance

Political scientist Axel Klein, professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen, also evaluates the reform from the perspective of the history of ideas. "Das Tenno-Gesetz ist ein Ausdruck des unter Takaichi gewachsenen Einflusses der Erzkonservativen im Land," he told dpa. Similar to a law that criminalizes the desecration of the national flag, he understands the planned amendment as an expression of a political set of priorities.

It also remains open whether the population will support the course. Atsushi Nito, professor emeritus at the National Museum of Japanese History, told the Mainichi Shimbun: "Es sei zudem fraglich, ob die Öffentlichkeit dies akzeptieren würde". The prospects of success of the reform are thus uncertain even before parliament votes on it finally.