&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Adopt-a-Prince Plan: Why Japan is running out of royals. Inside country’s deepening imperial crisis")
Japan’s imperial family, the world’s oldest monarchy, faces a critical shortage of royals due to strict male-only succession laws and broader demographic declines. The family has shrunk to just 16 members (five men and 11 women), leaving only three heirs to the throne: Emperor Naruhito’s 90-year-old uncle, his 60-year-old brother, and his 19-year-old nephew. This shortage complicates public duties, ceremonies, and international visits. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have one daughter, 24-year-old Princess Aiko, but current rules bar her from ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Also read: Japan PM Sanae Takaichi appears visibly shaken in viral clip, sparks fresh health concerns - VIDEO
Japan's Adoption Proposal
To avoid a succession crisis, Japan's legislature is advancing a proposal to allow the imperial family to adopt male relatives from distant, former royal branches. Following World War II, the United States imposed the 1947 Constitution under General Douglas MacArthur, stripping the emperor of political authority and forcing 11 imperial branches to become commoners.
The new plan aims to recruit men from these former branches, specifically the Kuni, Higashikuni, Kaya, and Takeda families and reintegrate them into the monarchy. Though these men currently live as commoners working in fields like media, advertising, and insurance, their offspring could eventually become eligible for the throne. Additionally, the plan offers a concession to women: imperial princesses would be permitted to retain their royal status even if they marry commoners.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal reveals why she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya against dating
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Pakistan Broad Peak avalanche: Body of US's Mallory Geis identified; Nirmal Purja, 9 others remain missing
)
Pakistan avalanche: Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja confirmed dead
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
)
Russian e-retailer Ozon comes under Ukrainian drone attack amid Russia-Ukraine war
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
iPhone 18 Pro could be Apple's biggest price jump in years, says new leak
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu ranks India's 4th richest CM, wealthiest in Northeast: ADR report
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
US offers $15mn reward to dismantle alleged IRGC drone funding network
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 10: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Ariana Grande's Petal video fuels debate as fans voice concern over her appearance
)
Google Earth accidentally creates AI's next misinformation nightmare. 'Create image' feature rolled back over terrifying ques: What's real anymore?
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Buying Russian oil could cost India dearly? MEA breaks silence on US 100% tariff bill
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
Male-only Lineage
While Japan has historically had female rulers, such as Emperor Go-Sakuramachi in the late 1700s, modern conservative leadership views the male-only lineage as sacrosanct. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, the country's first female government leader, and her ruling Liberal Democratic Party strongly support the male-only line, arguing that limiting eligibility to male descendants is appropriate.
Conversely, the adoption plan has drawn criticism from activists, commentators, and opposition lawmakers like Kiyomi Tsujimoto. Critics argue that an easier solution exists: permitting women to reign. Public opinion polls show broad societal support for a female emperor, and the public widely champions Princess Aiko. However, within Japan's patriarchal political framework, changing the succession gender rules remains a nonstarter. Commenting on the legislative debate, Emperor Naruhito expressed hope that the public would understand the final discussions.
