Succession and Membership Issues


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Yeah, it doesn't look good, since Hisahito is the only boy in his generation.
 
The Japanese government proposed on Friday enabling female members of the imperial family to establish their own imperial branches after marriage to commoners, amid concern over the falling number of royal household members and the heavy burden on the emperor. The establishment of female imperial branches "should be considered" only for daughters and granddaughters of the emperor, the government proposal says. [...]

The proposal, which clarifies points to be discussed concerning the status of female imperial family members, also lists both ideas to give and not to give imperial status to the husband and children of a princess who establishes her own imperial branch. It says the idea of retaining the title of princess after marriage to allow them to engage in imperial activities "would be difficult to implement" in light of Japan's Constitution that stipulates equality under the law.

The proposal mentions an idea to give such female imperial family members status as national public servants to remain involved in royal activities. In creating a new system, the proposal says the government would make sure that opinions of the female imperial family members will be reflected and that the system would not be an obstacle for their marriage. The government will take public comments on the proposal over a period of about two months with an aim to map out a draft amendment to the Imperial Household Law and submit it to the ordinary Diet session next year, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said. [...]

The proposal drew positive responses from the Imperial Household Agency. An agency official said it was "significant" the government listed the points of discussion as a way to deal with the decreasing number of imperial members. Another official expressed hope that discussions over the matter "would move forward" after the government gathers opinions from the public. [...]

Yasuhiro Okudaira, an honorary professor at the University of Tokyo, said discussion should take place about the expected roles of the emperor and the imperial family in Japanese society, even before whether to create imperial branches is discussed.
October 05, 2012(Mainichi Japan)

One should add that Prime Minister Noda promised in August to call new elections "soon", and watchers have expected him to do this in November of this year. If he should do that, there is a high probability that through these elections the LDP would come back to power. Considering that the LDP´s top candidate is the ultraconservative Shinzo Abe, it can be safely assumed that if that happens, all these plans to establish female-line imperial branches will be moot. On the other hand, leaving his promise aside, Noda is "technically" obliged to call elections at the very latest by August 2013. In this case, there should be sufficient time to go through with the changes - if, and this may be a big "if", Noda is resolved on doing it and willing to face opposition that he will inevitably meet from ultranationalists.

Thinning ranks prompt idea to retain princesses married to commoners
New concept of Imperial female branches mulled
The government proposed on Friday enabling female members of the Imperial family to establish their own Imperial branches after marriage to commoners, amid concern over the falling number of royal household members. [...]

Among the 21 Imperial family members under Emperor Akihito are eight unmarried females, including Princess Aiko, 10, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, and Prince Akishino's two daughters, Princess Mako, 20, and Princess Kako, 17. The three princesses would be subject to the new system if it is created. [...]

The matter has come into focus due to concern the Imperial family may not be able to maintain its activities in a stable manner given the large number of female members compared with male members.
The Japan Times, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012


Amendment proposed allowing female royals to create imperial branches
Some parts of Japanese law might finally be catching up to the 21st century. The Japanese government is proposing an amendment to a law that will allow female members of the royal family to retain their imperial status after marriage to a commoner. The changes reflect the growing concerns over problems with the number of males in the royal household.
The Japan Daily Press, October 5, 2012
 
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It is a welcome development. Given the current realities, the IHA has to allow Princesses to retain their titles. It would be fair to say that the IHA may choose spouses with a good lineage.
 
Govt should deepen discussions to maintain Imperial activities
The government has released a summary review of its proposal for future Imperial family systems, based on experts' opinions. It states that consideration should be given to the idea of enabling female members to retain their Imperial status after marriage to commoners and to create their own Imperial branches.

We consider this idea reasonable. It is also understandable that the government would limit such retention of Imperial status only to naishinno princesses--daughters and granddaughters of the Emperor--to curb fiscal spending. [...]

Six of the eight unmarried female members of the Imperial family, including Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, have already reached the age of majority. If discussions over the status of Imperial women is prolonged, it could affect their marriage prospects. In light of this, it is rational for the government to speed up work to consider creating female Imperial branches with the understanding that opinions of the female Imperial family members will be reflected.

In the latest discussion, the government made sure that no revisions would be made to Article 1 of the Imperial House Law, which says that only male descendants from the male line of Imperial ancestors can succeed to the throne. The government stopped short of taking up the issue of Imperial succession probably because it gave top priority to moving the discussion forward without letting it stall over a controversial matter. [...]

During hearings from experts, some of them expressed strong opposition to the idea of creating female Imperial branches. They criticized the idea because creating such a system could make it possible for a member of a female line to succeed to the throne, and that would break Imperial traditions. Apparently taking such a view into consideration, the summary review calls for female Imperial branches to exist for only one generation.
The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 6, 2012

Japanese princesses could start new imperial branches

[...] While the government concluded that consideration should be given to the creation of Imperial branches to cope with the decreasing number of Imperial family members, it also included an alternative plan to allow female members to engage in Imperial activities by maintaining official status even after becoming commoners through marriage. The government is considering limiting the target of this proposal to naishinno princesses as well. [...]

The summary listed two possibilities regarding this plan--granting Imperial status to the husbands and children of Imperial women, and not doing so. Under the first option, it is stipulated that the children would lose their Imperial status upon marrying. It also is stated that there is "no historical precedent" for giving the status to such husbands and children. In the second option, the summary said measures should be taken to handle such issues as the family registry of such husbands and children. [...]

Some experts, who opposed the creation of new Imperial family branches, had proposed during the hearings that female members be allowed to continue using their Imperial titles, such as naishinno and "joo," for the Emperor's female descendants in the third or later generations, to engage in Imperial activities even after marriage. But the government concluded it would be "difficult to implement," as granting such titles to former Imperial family members might constitute a violation of equality for all under the Constitution, a government source said. [...]

Following the compilation of the summary, the government intends to devise a draft revision of the Imperial House Law after consulting the ruling and opposition parties and submitting the legislation to an ordinary Diet session next year at the earliest. But as Liberal Democratic Party President Shinzo Abe takes a cautious stance on the creation of Imperial branches by female Imperial family members, talks between political parties may proceed with difficulty, observers said.
The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network
Saturday, Oct 06, 2012

Japan govt pushes plan for female imperial branches
By Junya Hashimoto and Takeshi Okimura
Concerned over the future of the Imperial family, the government in a report released Friday called for allowing princesses to create their own Imperial branches, though support for the solution is far from unanimous. The administration of Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will be tested over whether it can convince the Liberal Democratic Party and other opposition parties to cooperate in revising the Imperial House Law to achieve the proposal. [...]

In Friday's report, the government expressed clear concern over the Imperial family system. "If the current system continues, we are gravely concerned the number of Imperial family members able to support the Emperor in his duties or act as his proxy in constitutional duties will approach zero," the report said. [...]

Many of the experts interviewed supported allowing princesses to create their own branches, and polls have showed the public agrees. A national Yomiuri Shimbun poll in December showed the idea had 64 per cent support. However, some of the experts interviewed opposed the idea, saying it would be a stepping stone to allowing women or descendants of female Imperial family members to take the throne. Some Diet members, particularly in the Liberal Democratic Party, also oppose the idea, making it difficult for the government to reach a consensus.

The issue fell by the wayside in the last ordinary Diet session as Noda focused on passing bills on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems. [...]

The Imperial Household Agency has become increasingly anxious over the newly surfaced proposal [to allow princesses to continue using their imperial honorary status even after leaving the royal family], and its worries reportedly stem from the concerns of the Emperor himself over the future of the Imperial family. As the Emperor strictly complies with Article 4 of the Constitution, which stipulates that the Emperor will have no government-related powers, the government has refrained from asking him and other members of the Imperial family their opinions on whether princesses should be allowed to create their own branches. However, the Emperor has received reports on the interviews that were conducted with experts over the matter, as well as on the developments of discussions over the creation of new branches. Without asking directly, the Imperial Household Agency surmised the opinions of the Emperor and Imperial family members who would be directly affected by the change in the Imperial family system, and quietly reported its views to the government, a senior agency official said.

In the first place, the idea of allowing Imperial women to continue using their honorary Imperial status even after leaving the royal family was fundamentally flawed, as it would not curb the decline in the royal population. [...] A senior agency official expressed relief Friday over the government's report. "The decrease in the number of Imperial family members is unlikely to change in the near future. I hope the government will continue to discuss the issue even if the administration changes," he said. [...]

The government hopes to achieve a unanimous vote on any revision to the [Imperial House Law], considering the sensitivity of the matter. However, with opposition parties controlling the House of Councillors, it will be difficult to pass a bill without the cooperation of the LDP and other opposition parties. At a press conference Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura called for the parties to work together, saying that the issue "should not be used for political confrontation." However, conservative lawmakers, including new LDP President Shinzo Abe, are sceptical of allowing princesses to create their own Imperial branches. [...]
The Noda administration has become increasingly unstable, with many Democratic Party of Japan members leaving the party in recent months. Noda must show he remains as committed to the issue as he claimed to be last year.
The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network
Sunday, Oct 07, 2012
 
Japan princesses' desires to get priority
By Natsuki Komatsu
Giving top priority to the desires of each individual princess is to be a central principle in the government's review of allowing female Imperial family members to create new Imperial branches, according to a government official in charge of the matter.

The proposed changes to the Imperial family system would apply to Princesses Aiko, Mako and Kako among the current Imperial family. If all three princesses expressed their will to leave the Imperial family after marriage with commoners, it would be difficult to prevent a decline in the number of the Imperial family members and would render the new system ineffective as a way to keep the Imperial family sustainable. Nevertheless, the government chose to give top priority to the princesses' wishes for reasons of compassion. Princesses born into the Imperial family are raised on the understanding that they will leave the Imperial family when they marry and may have their own future dreams or visions. The government wants to avoid imposing constraints on the princess by allowing them to determine their own lives. The government principle reflected the views of members of the Imperial family to some extent.
The Yomiuri Shimbun/Asia News Network Sunday, Oct 07, 2012
 
:previous:

That sounds like a pretty sensible approach to me.

Those female members of the Imperial Family who are ready to dedicate their lives to serving the Imperial Family and representing the Emperor should be given the chance to form their own branches. Obviously, they will also be financially supported by the state to perform their official engagements.

Those female members of the Imperial Family who would rather seek their fortune elsewhere and have other plans should not be forced to become dynasts. They will become untitled commoners, like Sayako did, and not perform any engagements on behalf of the Emperor; of course, they also will not receive any financial aid from the state.

I think the only females who must have automatic rights to form separate branches of the family are the daughters of the reigning Emperor (like Sayako) and those of the Heir Apparent (like Aiko).
 
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But what does it mean they are going to start their own branches? Currently a female cannot inherit the throne but she is going to be able to pass her princely title to her children and even daughters? I totally agree that Japanese princesses should not lose their status and titles upon marriage but an idea that they can form their own branches of the Imperial Family is ridiculous.
 
I do not understand what is the need to form a seperate branch to assist The Emperor? His daughters can always represent him, as Her Imperial Highness The Princess of Japan..For example, Princess Anne has commoner husband and commoner kids, but she carries out enormous duties on the Queen's behalf..just as a Princess of Great Britain..
Similarly, once Naruhito becomes Emperor, his daughter (anyway), his brother and his daughters will carry out duties. These three girls will continue duties in reigns of Akishino and Hisahito..See.. it will be like:

Naruhito's reign: Akishino, Mako, Kako, Toshi, Hitahisho
Akishino's reign: Mako, Kako, Toshi, Hishahito
Hishahito's reign:His kids, Mako, kako,Toshi

The British model will be perfect. If you just give daughters and grand-daughters a life-title of HIH The Princess of Japan, regardless of whom they marry, and provide them State support, for carrying duties it will be gud enough.
Creating branches and extending titles to female line descendants will always complicate things..
 
That's what I am talking about, vkrish! ;) It's just ridiculous.
 
I don't think you can impose British or other European practices on a country which has an entirely different history and culture. Calling it ridiculous is a bit much.
 
I don't think you can impose British or other European practices on a country which has an entirely different history and culture. Calling it ridiculous is a bit much.

Who told you to impose the British monarchy practice: I just gave an example..
After all..every monarchy, how much ever differnt it is, follows the same principle right..that eldest one succeds and so on..Its just that in Japan daughters are "dissociated"..So I am suggesting instead of doing that, let them have their royal status forever,make them work in case of shortage, but keep their hubbies and kids out..Simple
 
Come on, they are not going to be empresses some day and cannot pass their rights to their children because they have no such rights but are they going to pass their titles and special status to their children and fiurther descendants? I think that something is not right here. They should give women rights to the throne first. An European example of a female royal passing the royal status to her children is Princess Astrid of Belgium. But her husband is also a Royal and Belgium is a different world to Japan.
 
Well you are the one who said the British example would be perfect for Japan.
 
Well I guess I am the one..Ok I take refugee in the enormous difference between "suggesting" and "imposing" a model..:)
 
However, you're missing a vital point with this issue - if the little prince doesn't have children or bear a male heir, there are no further males in the line of succession. Merely allowing current and future princesses to keep their titles is not enough. The British system keeps Zara and Peter Phillips in the line of succession, even though their mother is a Princess of Great Britain and they are untitled and regarded as commoners. If circumstances (albeit rare) are such, Zara could technically inherit the throne. None of the Princesses of Japan are in the line of succession and cannot become Empress Regent of Japan.

Currently when the current crop of HIH Princesses marry, they leave the royal family and their children are out of the line of succession. This current practice is making the line of succession in Japan extinct. The changes to succession needs to include provisions if Hishaito does not have any male heirs. It's not just about workload.

Who told you to impose the British monarchy practice: I just gave an example..
After all..every monarchy, how much ever differnt it is, follows the same principle right..that eldest one succeds and so on..Its just that in Japan daughters are "dissociated"..So I am suggesting instead of doing that, let them have their royal status forever,make them work in case of shortage, but keep their hubbies and kids out..Simple
 
:previous: Hmmm..ok thanks fr the clarification..But will the problem of succession be solved by letting females form their branches? It will again come to..letting the eldest female (or her son) ascend if there are no males..right? Then anyways the purpose of "preserving the male line' will not be served.. So why dont they simply start allowing female children to succeed to throne on basis of "male primogeniture"..
And by the way, the news item does mention its all to keep the number of royals who assist the emperor.Anyway..
 
:previous: Hmmm..ok thanks fr the clarification..But will the problem of succession be solved by letting females form their branches? It will again come to..letting the eldest female (or her son) ascend if there are no males..right? Then anyways the purpose of "preserving the male line' will not be served.. So why dont they simply start allowing female children to succeed to throne on basis of "male primogeniture"..
And by the way, the news item does mention its all to keep the number of royals who assist the emperor.Anyway..
The problem will not be solved but it will be a step in the right direction. For the first time, females of the Imperial Family will be treated as equals of men, or at least, close to it. They'll still be barred from succeeding to the Throne or passing succession rights to their descendants (male or female).

The thing is, if the current situation continues, there will simply not be enough members of the Imperial Family to adequately support the Emperor (current and future). Think of it: of the nine children or young adults in the Imperial Family, only one is a male - Prince Hisahito. If all the other females marry and leave the Imperial Family, in addition of the burden of being the sole heir, Hisahito will also have to carry out the bulk of official engagements in future.

Allowing females form their own branches (even if for one generation only, without the ability to pass their styles and titles to their descendants) will mean they'll officially remain part of the Imperial Family. They'll know that their life will be dedicated to serving the country and the Emperor. Mind you, there is no guarantee the Princesses would want that anyway; most of them grew up they'll eventually leave the Imperial Family upon marriage, and probably have plans of their own.
 
When a male member of the Imperial Family receives his own title and mon (emblem) he is also authorised to start his own branch of the Imperial Family. This often happens on the Prince's marriage, e.g. on his marriage Prince Fumihito (Fumihito Shinnō) became Prince Akishino (Akishino-no-miya Fumihito Shinnō) with the authority to start a new branch of the Imperial Family. Prince Yoshihito received the title Prince Katsura just before his 40th birthday, and the authorisation to start his own branch of the Imperial Family. However soon after he had a stroke and now uses a wheelchair. So I would not not read too much into the terminology of "new branch" of the Imperial Family.

I think the current proposal would just see a Princess receiving her own title and mon upon marriage, e.g. Princess Mako (Mako Naishinnō) might become, to use an extinct branch of the Imperial Family, Princess Chichibu (Chichibu-no-miya Mako Naishinnō). This, in theory, makes her the head of a new branch of the Imperial Family, a branch that will end with her death. I do not know if her husband could receive a title, something equivalent to Prince Consort? I think reviving one of the titles from the old Japanese peerage would be too controversial, not to mention possibly unconstitutional (the peerage was abolished in 1947).

Such a proposal is certainly going to bolster the numbers of the Imperial Family who can carry out public engagements. It would also put an end to the semi-fiction that former princesses are commoners. The recent inauguration of Mrs Sayako Kuroda as a priestess at the Grand Shrine in Ise shows that even without an Imperial title, the former princess can still carry out the traditional activities of members of the Imperial Family. But of course, anything that involves Shintoism is in a mine field all of its own.
 
Great posts, CrownPrincessJava, Artemisia and TomBert! :flowers:

The comparison of the Japanese situation to the British is misleading because the family patterns in both countries are strikingly different. The idea of the Japanese system is: either you are in a family or out of it. There is nothing in between. Insofar, the rule that says that imperial princesses leave the imperial family and lose their status upon marriage is absolutely consistent. Once they are out, they are out for good. They cannot represent the imperial family any longer because they do not belong to it any more. In contrast, the British system offers many possibilities of being “in-between”: for example, the daughter of a duke could, upon marriage to a Mr Smith, become (for example) Lady Mary Smith. That means that she still in a way retains her title and her status while, at the same time, she takes her husband´s name. Her name is a mixture that shows both connections. Also, Princess Anne can be married to an untitled commoner and still remain a royal princess. To take another example: when Queen Victoria´s daughter Vicky married Frederick of Prussia, she became a princess of Prussia and later empress, but she still remained a princess of the British empire. Within the Japanese system, this is normally not possible. You are either one or the other, either the daughter of your father or the wife of your husband (system-wise, I mean, the emotional bond will, of course, remain also in Japan).

That is also why it would be very odd (according to Japanese standards) if the princesses were allowed to keep their status but their husbands and children had to remain commoners. In Japan, every family has their own koseki (family register). Normally, everyone on a koseki must have the same last name. If the princesses did not have the same status as their husbands and children, they would probably have a koseki of their own and their husbands and children another - which would be a complete anomaly. It would be possible, of course, but it would be very complicated as the koseki Family Registration System still plays an important role in Japan. If the princesses are required to continue with royal duties after marriage, the simplest and easiest way (under Japanese conditions) would be to give the husbands and children imperial status, too, and let the children become commoners upon marriage. The Asahi Shimbun wrote:
The government has come up with three proposals with regard to the pros and cons of allowing female members of the imperial family to maintain their status after marrying commoners. [...] Given the sensitivity of the matter, the government was careful not to step on any toes. Still, its proposals are hardly clear-cut. This is a matter on which the Japanese people have all sorts of opinions. [...]

The proposals are as follows:

(1) Female members establish their own imperial branches upon marriage to commoners and retain their imperial status. Their spouses and children will also be treated as members of the imperial family, but the children will lose their imperial status when they marry.

(2) Female members establish their own imperial branches upon marriage to commoners, but their spouses and children will not be treated as members of the imperial family.

(3) Female members will lose their imperial status upon marriage to commoners, but will become "special civil servants" to assist imperial family members in their activities. [...]

The first proposal is probably the easiest to digest.

The second proposal generates different statuses and treatments among immediate family members, and that could be awkward.

The third proposal emerged rather abruptly in the final stages of the government's consultation with experts. As such, it is only a bare-bones proposal that needs to be fleshed out further.
I hope I have succeeded in making it clear why the Asahi Shimbun says that “The first proposal is probably the easiest to digest.”


***


Here is another interesting excerpt of the quoted article:
Some of the experts who were consulted voiced alarm at the possibility of a woman starting an imperial bloodline. [...] Most of these experts believe in upholding this tradition and keeping the imperial family at the current scale by allowing the adoption of male descendants of imperial family branches that were discontinued after World War II.

This scenario, however, is hardly likely to be acceptable to the general public. For one, it raises a number of tough questions, among which would be who, and from which defunct branches, should qualify for adoption. Such discussions may only make the public feel more distant from the imperial family. [...] In the future, the time may come when the issue of imperial succession will have to be addressed in earnest. When that time comes, the people could surely explore the alternatives available and make their decision.

The present generation should see to it that the next generation will be left with choices. We believe this is the attitude with which we should discuss the matter.
 
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:previous:Thanks for your detailed explanation on how japanese system differs from British, especially reg. 'in-between's.
And even I consider the first option to be the most advisable.
Bringing the now-defunct branches is a very very ill-advised idea. It will be like going into backward ages.People will never be able to connect to them. It will also dilute the charisma of the present Emperor and his descendants.
Allowing princesses to set up their own branches is ok, as long as their kids are again 'disowned' at the time of their weddings..
PS:Royal "crowds" always irritate people. British are ok with the crowd bcos they know very well the Kents, Gloucesters, and even the Yorks will move out, sooner or later..
I hope these princesses work as sincerely as Princess Anne , Mahachakri etc, and bring good name to JRF
 
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:previous:Thanks for your detailed explanation on how japanese system differs from British, especially reg. 'in-between's.
You are very welcome! :) Thank you for mentioning it. :flowers:
And even I consider the first option to be the most advisable.
Bringing the now-defunct branches is a very very ill-advised idea. It will be like going into backward ages.People will never be able to connect to them. It will also dilute the charisma of the present Emperor and his descendants.
I quite agree. Besides, concerning the succession issue, there has been so much said about things being "unprecedented": a female-line emperor, a husband who gets imperial status via his wife... That is admittedly true, although it has to be said that breaking precedents is not always bad (even in Japan ;) ): a commoner getting to be empress consort has been unprecedented, too, until quite recently, but as it turns out, Empress Michiko is very well respected.

This being said, I think it should be mentioned that commoners becoming imperial princes (which is what would happen if the descendants of former royals got imperial status) is completely unprecedented, too, in Japan´s history. From a European point of view, such an act may not look overly remarkable - we are used to reading about people like William the Conqueror or Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte in our textbooks. But actually, in Japan there has never been such an occurence of a commoner or even a noble getting to be emperor.
It was possible for an imperial prince to "descend" to being a noble, but not for a noble to "ascend" to being an imperial prince.

Besides, the members of the former royal branches are but very remotely related to the present imperial family as they are descendants of an emperor who occupied the throne around 600 years ago.
Allowing princesses to set up their own branches is ok, as long as their kids are again 'disowned' at the time of their weddings..
PS:Royal "crowds" always irritate people. British are ok with the crowd bcos they know very well the Kents, Gloucesters, and even the Yorks will move out, sooner or later..
I think that is why the government plans to give the option to stay only to the granddaughters of the emperor but not to the five granddaughters of Prince Mikasa.
On the other hand, judging from past events, it is rather unlikely that there will be an imperial "crowd" any time soon. Two of Emperor Hirohito´s three brothers as well as Emperor Akihito´s only brother and only daughter have remained childless. And, as everyone knows, the present crown prince has but one daughter although it can safely be assumed that he and his wife have been desperately trying to have more children. :ermm: So, it would be wise to be prepared for just in case ... it definitely is possible that Hisahito would remain childless - as it has happened before.

I think this is one reason more why the children of the princesses should be given imperial status - if, for example, Hisahito should produce but one child, they would have the option then to again change the law and let the children of the princesses remain in the family, too, in order to support Hisahito´s successor.
I hope these princesses work as sincerely as Princess Anne , Mahachakri etc, and bring good name to JRF
I am confident that they will. :) Of course, two of them are still minor, so it is maybe a bit early to talk about them in terms of performing royal duties. But I happen to be really fond of twenty-year-old Princess Mako´s poise and intelligence. :flowers: (pic 1, pic2)
 
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They better come up with a plan soon because it is not unthinkable that the Imperial Family may well become extinct. Right now its hopes of survival rest on one little boy with no guarantees that he will be able to continue the line.
 
Japan's PM Noda dissolves parliament, paving way for election his party is likely to lose
Elections were set for Dec. 16. [...] The opposition Liberal Democratic Party, which led Japan for most of the post-World War II era, is in the best position to take over. The timing of the election likely pre-empts moves by more conservative challengers, including former Tokyo Mayor Shintaro Ishihara, to build up electoral support. [...] Noda's most likely successor is LDP head and former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Star Tribune

That means, regarding the status of the princesses, we are, in all probability, back to square one. Abe, being extremely conservative, will strictly oppose female-headed branches. The other possibilities (for example, princesses as servants of state) are hardly practical, but it is, on the other hand, highly improbable that Abe would get a majority to bring back the former collateral branches. Accordingly, there is not much hope that there will be a satisfying solution to this issue in the near future.
 
I read most of this but am not up on it very well. It seems to me that,as the Imperial Family is nearly extinct, its fortunes riding on one little boy, they have to allow female empresses. As in the most obvious, Aiko. Otherwise, just plan on the end of the family. What woman would marry the little boy when grows up, knowing that she was even more burdened to produce a male heir than her mother in law and aunt in law? It seems the family has become one of those rare families in which almost all children are one sex or another. I do not know if geneticists have figured this one out. But the family was inbred until modern times, and in such cases, bringing children to live birth can be difficult; female babies are more likely to survive than male ones, just because nature has given them an advantage in this. So if this is the case, there may continue to be predominantly female births.
Now take my "working class" great grandma who came to America in the Irish potato famine. She not only survived the boat trip to America in freezing conditions, but she had fourteen sons. No girls. Maybe just because she was tough as nails and healthy as a horse.
 
Mariel1 said:
I read most of this but am not up on it very well. It seems to me that,as the Imperial Family is nearly extinct, its fortunes riding on one little boy, they have to allow female empresses. As in the most obvious, Aiko. Otherwise, just plan on the end of the family. What woman would marry the little boy when grows up, knowing that she was even more burdened to produce a male heir than her mother in law and aunt in law? It seems the family has become one of those rare families in which almost all children are one sex or another. I do not know if geneticists have figured this one out. But the family was inbred until modern times, and in such cases, bringing children to live birth can be difficult; female babies are more likely to survive than male ones, just because nature has given them an advantage in this. So if this is the case, there may continue to be predominantly female births.
Now take my "working class" great grandma who came to America in the Irish potato famine. She not only survived the boat trip to America in freezing conditions, but she had fourteen sons. No girls. Maybe just because she was tough as nails and healthy as a horse.

The sex of the children is determined by the father, not the mother, and your great grandmother's health had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that she had sons.

I agree with you about the Imperial family's need to adapt though. Personally, I'd love to see equal primogeniture applied and Aiko allowed to inherit.
 
HRHHermionie, you are right. I got to thinking how it was not my great grandmother but her husband who determined their children's gender. Likewise, it is the royal sons of the Imperial Family who are determining the mostly female children born to the family. If Aiko were to marry "outside" the family and have children, probably there would be a better chance of producing boys.
 
I agree with you about the Imperial family's need to adapt though. Personally, I'd love to see equal primogeniture applied and Aiko allowed to inherit.

Some people at “The Royal Watcher” obviously think the same as you :), see here and here (scroll down).

There also seem to be people in Japan who dream of a reigning Empress Aiko, as these pictures seem to indicate. Mind you, I cannot read Japanese, so I do not know what is written there. But the picture to the right obviously shows Aiko as she is now, playing the violin and the piano, being a fan of Sumo and running at a school event, and I suppose to the left this would be Aiko as a grown up woman and empress. :flowers: (Compare: Empress Michiko in full attire)

Japanese article about Aiko

Recent pic of Aiko
 
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I hope one day little prince Hisahito of Akishino will be an emperor. Very lively boy.
One child in family and mother with mental problems are bad combination for future head of state
 
In all probability, your wish will be granted anyway, no matter what anybody here thinks.

This being said, I have to disagree. You would not call it the best starting conditions imaginable either if your father beheaded your mother and disowned you. Still, Elizabeth I became one of the great monarchs in British history (or even in the world´s history).
 
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