Princess Aiko’s increasing popularity opens debate on succession to the throne in Japan

Japanese Princess Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, celebrated her 24th birthday last Monday, as her popularity increases and she plays a growing role in official events.

Her rise in popularity has reopened the debate in a patriarchal and traditional society about the possibility of women inheriting the throne, despite the Salic Law, which governs the rules of imperial succession in Japan.

This debate is taking place in a country that got rid of gender bias by electing Sanae Takaishi as Japan’s first female prime minister, at a time when very few Japanese believed it would happen.

Moreover, opinion polls show strong Japanese support for the idea of ​​Aiko, or any other future woman, being empress.

Princess Aiko’s supporters are calling for the change to be made as soon as possible, as a way to protect the dynasty of the world’s oldest ruling monarchy.

There is a sense of urgency, as Emperor Naruhito’s 19-year-old nephew, Hisahito, is now the only male heir of the younger generation in a dwindling imperial family.

Experts warn that legislative changes will not be easy, given the opposition of conservative members of parliament, who are reluctant to get involved in such a sensitive issue.

Takaishi herself, considered by many to be reluctant to implement policies aimed at reducing gender inequality, has in the past expressed her opposition to changing the current succession system.

The rules are set by the Imperial Household Law of 1947, and in theory, amending this law – which is an ordinary law – is less difficult than amending the constitution.

Professor of History at Chuo University in Tokyo, Makoto Okawa, explained that the submission of a draft law by the government or members of the Japanese Parliament, and the approval of a simple majority in both houses of Parliament, is sufficient for its approval.

However, any law relating to the imperial institution has “exceptional weight” for the Japanese state, so it is necessary to reach a broad national consensus with great caution. “Even if a majority of Japanese citizens support the reform, an agreement must be reached through the deliberations of a panel of experts, bipartisan negotiations and a special committee in the Diet,” Okawa said.

The researcher believes that carrying out major reforms is “almost impossible” with the current ruling coalition, which was formed by the Liberal Democratic Party.

According to Okawa: “It will likely be necessary to change the government led by opposition parties, such as the center-left Constitutional Democratic Party, which has shown itself more open to the idea of ​​an empress.” About “El Pais”