Paternal Principle Remains

The governmental panel on stable imperial succession on Wednesday submitted two proposals to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which fundamentally deferred requirement of National Diet to address gradual shrinking of the imperial family. While Imperial House Law Article 1 determines that "The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by a male offspring in the male line belonging to the Imperial Lineage," majority of the Japanese public has been understanding the necessity of female emperor. The panel, however, did not respond to those voices and, instead, is likely to have followed paternal preference of the conservatives.

    Both proposals are about how to keep the members in imperial family with various opportunities to show up in ceremonial events or national activities. One is allowing female members retaining their imperial status after the marriage with a commoner, and another is include male heirs from former branches to imperial family by adoption, or direct inclusion in case adoption is not sufficient. Those measures require revision of Imperial House Law.

    After then Emperor Akihito delivered a video message in 2016, the National Diet passed a special measures law for the abdication. While the law, in its supplementary resolution, demands the government to have discussions and a report on how to achieve a stable imperial succession and on creation of matrilineal branch, the panel did not present any answer on those issues.

    On proposal one, female members would not be able to ascend to the throne as long as paternal system of succession remains. On proposal two, an adopted male member would be eligible to be on the successors' list. Although the proposals are aimed to keep the imperial members to share their roles, they actually seem to work for maintaining successions only by male.

    There is a firm belief in the conservative community that all the former emperors have been come from male lineage, including female empress. To keep that tradition, they are highly negative against including female into the list of successors. However, only three persons are on the list now: the Crown Prince Akishino, Hisahito of Akishino's son and 86 years old Prince Hitachi. Even though the discussion is passed over to next generation, it is likely that the government will have to decide whether female empress can be on the throne anyway.

    As public argument on gender equality surges, growing number of supporters for female empress are appearing. Leaving of Princess Mako from Akishino family generated concern about basic human rights on pursuit of happiness for imperial family members. To meet constitutional demand for the emperor of being the symbol of unity of Japanese people, the government needs to continue discussion over sustainable imperial system.

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