Crown Prince Akishino says he has 'mixed feelings' about male-only imperial succession law

The Royal Family's Dilemma: A Mixed Feelings Response to the Male-Only Succession Law

Crown Prince Akishino's comments on the government's revision to the Imperial House Law have sparked a heated debate in Japan. The law, which insists only men can become emperor, has been criticized as anachronistic and sexist. Akishino's response, however, is nuanced and reflects the complexities of the issue.

As the next in line for the throne, Akishino is expected to maintain a neutral stance on the issue. However, his comments suggest that he has reservations about the law and its implications for the imperial family. He believes that there is no difference between men and women in serving the roles of the imperial family, and that the society needs to keep making progress.

The revision to the Imperial House Law has been met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it is an imposition of an inhumane system on the royals without taking into consideration their burden and feelings. The law has been in place since 1890, and its revision has sparked concerns about the future of the imperial family.

Akishino's comments are significant because they reflect the views of the royal family on the issue. The family has been trying to modernize and become more relatable to the Japanese people. However, the government's revision to the law has put them in a difficult position.

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. A more controversial change allows unmarried male descendants aged 15 or older of distant imperial relatives to be adopted into the immediate royal family to father heirs, but only those of paternal lineage can be chosen for adoption.

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

The paternal-line male succession was stipulated for the first time in the 1890 Imperial House Law, when Japan promoted patriarchal systems. That law was largely carried over to the current 1947 version. There is also worry that the government's push will upset the legacy of former Emperor Akihito, including making amends for the victims of World War II, which was fought in his father's name.

Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, tried to bring what was seen as an aloof monarchy closer to the people, an example followed by his son, Naruhito, and his family.