Aiko, 4, could be an empress

TOKYO – The Japanese government will submit a bill this year to allow women to ascend the imperial throne for the first time in centuries, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in a speech to Parliament.

Koizumi did not provide details of the bill or when it would be submitted, but he said the proposal would be in line with the findings of a high-level panel, which has recommended letting female heirs assume the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Japan’s imperial family has not produced a male heir since the 1960s, and public opinion is strongly in favor of changing a 1947 law to allow Crown Prince Naruhito’s 4-year-old daughter Aiko to become a reigning empress. Aiko is his only child.

“In order that the imperial throne be continued into the future in a stable manner, the government will submit a bill to reform the Imperial Household Law,” Koizumi said Friday in what could be his last annual policy speech to Parliament. He has said he will step down when his term ends in September.

Under the 1947 Imperial Household Law, only males who have emperors on their father’s side can succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Eight empresses have ruled Japan in the last 1,500 years, the most recent being Gosakuramachi, who was in power from 1762 to 1770.

The idea of allowing female succession has gained strength in recent years as the imperial family, which is deeply respected in Japan, has faced the growing possibility of succession crisis. As Akihito’s eldest son, Naruhito is next in line to the throne. But he and Crown Princess Masako have not had a son; neither have Naruhito’s younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his wife, Princess Kiko.

The prospects of a male heir emerging dimmed even further when Masako dropped out of public view two years ago because of a “nervous illness.” Masako, 42, has appeared in public only sporadically since then, and skips many imperial events.

A poll last year by the nationwide newspaper Asahi showed 78 percent of the respondents were in favor of a reigning empress. But the proposal still has opposition in Japan’s tradition-bound imperial circles. Prince Tomohito, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, has suggested employing concubines to produce male heirs, as was once done.

The prince, who is fifth in line to the throne, also suggested emperors be allowed to adopt sons and the aristocracy – disbanded after World War II – be revived to create a larger pool of marriage partners and potential heirs.

Those ideas, however, are not being taken seriously by the public and harken to an era far in the past.

Though the late Emperor Hirohito resisted pressure to take a concubine himself, both his father, Emperor Taisho, and his grandfather, Emperor Meiji, were the sons of concubines. Akihito is Hirohito’s only son.

Under the recommendations of an independent panel late last year, the law would be changed to give the emperor’s first-born child of either sex the right to head the monarchy.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide. (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.