The Economic Times

Japan's imperial family is diminishing. Plan for male-only succession could make it worse

Japan's parliament enacted a historic revision to its Imperial House Law on Friday. This law insists only paternal-lineage men can become emperor, sparking fears for the imperial family. The revisions allow adoption of distant male relatives to father future heirs. Princesses will also be allowed to keep their royal status after marrying commoners. This move aims to preserve the male-only succession rule despite a shrinking royal family.