Draft plan on Imperial succession presented to Japan's Diet
Japan is discussing ways to ensure Imperial succession. A draft plan presented by Diet leaders proposes that females would stay in the Imperial family after marriage. It also suggests adoption of male descendants in the male line of former Imperial branches.
The Imperial family currently consists of Emperor Naruhito and 15 others. Under the Imperial House Law, the Imperial Throne is succeeded by males in the male line. At present, only three members are eligible, and of them, only Prince Hisahito belongs to the family's younger generation. This has raised concerns there will be no successor in the future.
Another issue is the shrinking number of Imperial family members who carry out duties like visiting disaster-hit areas and promoting international goodwill. Females leave the Imperial household when they marry outside the Imperial family.
On Monday, the speakers and the vice-speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses explained their draft proposal to party leaders and parliamentary groups.
The draft confirms that the line of Imperial succession from the Emperor to his brother Crown Prince Akishino and Prince Hisahito must be ensured.
The plan also suggests that females remain in the Imperial family after marriage. It does not specify whether their spouses and children would become Imperial family members. It notes that the wishes of female members should be respected as a transition measure.
As for the adoption proposal, this would apply to male descendants in the male line of 11 former Imperial branches that lost their Imperial status in 1947.
Lower House Speaker Mori Eisuke said, "With the understanding and cooperation of all concerned, I hope to get the bill to revise the Imperial House Law passed during the current Diet session."
The Diet leaders aim to submit a formal proposal to the government as a "consensus of the legislature" on Wednesday.
The government is then expected to draft the necessary legislation, including revision of the Imperial House Law.
