Japan’s Lower House Passes Imperial House Law Revision by Over Two-Thirds Majority

According to Lianhe Zaobao, Japan’s House of Representatives on July 10 passed a ruling-party-backed revision to the Imperial House Law by an overwhelming vote of more than two-thirds. The bill would allow the imperial family to adopt male descendants from former imperial branches as adopted sons to address a shrinking pool of heirs, and would allow female members of the imperial family to retain their status after marriage.

The revision, described as Japan’s most significant reform to the imperial succession system since the current law took effect in 1947, was submitted last month by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Under the proposal, adopted sons would not be eligible to inherit the throne, but their male descendants would be. The bill also removes a provision requiring female royals to lose imperial status upon marrying a commoner, though it does not specify how the status of their spouses and children would be handled.

The bill drew support from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Nippon Ishin no Kai, as well as some opposition parties, while other opposition lawmakers criticized what they described as a preference for male succession and an effort to rule out the possibility of a female or matrilineal emperor. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara defended the approach, citing the existing law’s provision that the throne be inherited through male imperial descendants. The ruling bloc plans to begin deliberations in a House of Councillors special committee on July 14 and 15, aiming for final passage by July 17.