Japan seeks to amend Imperial Household Law to admit male adoptees and let women retain royal status

Japan’s House of Representatives and House of Councillors leaders have signaled broad agreement on a draft revision of the Imperial Household Law. The proposal would (1) permit male descendants of former princely houses, who left the imperial line in 1947, to be re‑adopted into the family – though they would not obtain succession rights – and (2) allow female members of the imperial family to keep their royal status after marriage. The government aims to submit the amendment by the end of June and pass it before the current parliamentary session ends on July 17. Emperor Naruhito, speaking ahead of upcoming visits to the Netherlands and Belgium, said he hopes “the discussion on securing the number of imperial family members will gain the understanding of the people.” The draft has sparked public debate, with some opposition to the adoption clause and broader calls for gender‑neutral succession reforms.