Japan enacts law to expand imperial family while keeping male-only succession

Japan's revised Imperial House Law, which came into force on Saturday, introduces two major reforms aimed at bolstering the shrinking imperial family. It authorises the adoption of males aged 15 or older from eleven former branch families, thereby increasing the number of male descendants eligible for succession, though adoptees cannot ascend the throne themselves. The amendment also allows princesses to retain their imperial status after marrying commoners, reversing a long-standing requirement to leave the family.

Despite these changes, the law maintains the traditional male-only succession, excluding women and maternal lines from the throne. The revision was drafted after cross-party talks and fulfills a pledge in the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party. The legislation will be subject to review every three decades, and critics note it does not address the broader debate over female emperors.