A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Japan is running out of heirs to the throne. That could end the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world. Its history goes back about 15 centuries. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports that Japan's Parliament is debating reforms aimed at ensuring a stable supply of imperial heirs.
ANTHONY KUHN, BYLINE: The last young man in line for the throne is the emperor's nephew, 19-year-old Prince Hisahito. If Hisahito does not have a son and the law isn't changed, there could be no more heirs to the throne. Seiichiro Noboru, a former Japanese diplomat with ties to the imperial family, explains what that means.
SEIICHIRO NOBORU: (Through interpreter) Because he is the only one, there's a widely shared sense of crisis regarding the future survival of the imperial family.
KUHN: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration has proposed two major changes to the Imperial House Law, the first substantial revisions in nearly 80 years. One would allow princesses to stay in the imperial family after they marry. The other would allow the imperial family to adopt male-line descendants from former branches of the imperial family. But Seiichiro Noboru says there's a far simpler solution.
NOBORU: (Through interpreter) The crucial point is that if a female emperor were recognized, we wouldn't need to resort to such a complex adoption line.
KUHN: The obvious candidate would be the emperor's 24-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko.
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KUHN: Enthusiastic crowds often turn out for Aiko's public appearances. She majored in Japanese literature in college. She now works full time for the Japanese Red Cross Society. Noboru says Princess Aiko is one reason most Japanese support the idea of female emperors. Polls show 60% to 90% are in favor of it. But Japan's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is not among them. In April, she told a ruling-party convention...
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PRIME MINISTER SANAE TAKAICHI: (Through interpreter) The unparalleled historic fact that the imperial line has been maintained through the male line for 126 generations is the foundation of the emperor's authority and legitimacy.
KUHN: In fact, over the centuries, Japan has had eight female emperors. But Japan's Meiji government ended that practice in 1889, in line with their vision of a modern patriarchal nation. Noboru, the former diplomat, argues that barring women from the throne today violates constitutional guarantees against gender-based discrimination. And the constitution, he adds, is clear about where the emperor's authority comes from.
NOBORU: (Through interpreter) What the government is attempting to do clearly runs counter to public opinion. Article 1 of the Japanese Constitution states that the emperor is the symbol of the nation and that his position is determined by the will of the people.
KUHN: Japan's Constitution gives sovereignty to the people. The emperor is a figurehead. He's supposed to steer clear of politics. But Emperor Naruhito did weigh in on this one very carefully at a press conference last month.
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EMPEROR NARUHITO: (Through interpreter) I hope the discussion about securing an adequate number of imperial family members can gain the understanding of the people.
KUHN: Japan's Lower House of Parliament passed the revisions to the Imperial House Law on July 10. The ruling coalition is pushing to have the Upper House pass it by July 17. Critics warn that if the bill is rammed through the legislature without proper debate, it could undermine public trust in the imperial system.
Anthony Kuhn, NPR News.
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