Japan Revises Imperial Succession Law to Expand Eligible Heirs but Keeps Ban on Female Emperor

BBC — World—Japan's parliament approved revisions to the Imperial Household Law that expand the pool of eligible successors to the Chrysanthemum Throne through male-line relatives connected via female imperial family members. The changes aim to address the rapidly shrinking number of male heirs while explicitly stopping short of allowing a woman to assume the role of emperor. The reform leaves intact a centuries-old gender barrier that critics say leaves the succession dangerously precarious. Public opinion polls have consistently shown majority Japanese support for allowing female emperors.

• BBC — World — Japan relaxes royal succession rules - but ban on female emperors remains
• Nikkei Asia — The new rules expand eligibility through female-line male relatives while sidestepping female succession
• Euronews — Japan revises imperial succession law but retains ban on female emperors
• South China Morning Post — Japan changed succession rules to save its shrinking monarchy but maintained the ban on female emperors
• France 24 — Japan changes imperial succession law but keeps ban on female emperor