Succession and Membership Issues

[ladybelline]

Article from Lemonde.fr (in French):
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/dh/0,14-0@...3966097,0.html

It is said that the laws of succession could be modified in order to allow Princess Aiko of becoming Empress one day.

I really hope the law will be voted!

[Merca]

Oh, I am so happy for her and especially for her mother, who has been under such a great pressure to produce a male heir all these years.

[galuhcandrakirana]

Japan's ruling party is considering proposals to revise the constitution to let women take the throne, according to a draft seen by local media.

The proposal comes amid mounting unease that the current heir to the throne and his siblings have no male children.

The proposal is part of a wide-ranging review of Japan's constitution.

Also under discussion are controversial changes to extend the military's ability to act defensively when serving in missions overseas.

Analysts believe pressure on Princess Masako - the wife of the current heir to the throne - to bear a male heir has contributed to stress-related illnesses which have keep her out of the public eye for nearly a year.


Any changes at all are likely to alarm Japan's neighbours in the region, still scarred from the effects of Japanese militarism during World War II.
news from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4018745.stm
another links of similar news:
http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty.../princessaiko/
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...117551/1/.html

[Mandy]

Perhaps we should continue this discussion in this thread.:)

[Princess BellyFlop]

Originally Posted by galuhcandrakirana

Japan's ruling party is considering proposals to revise the constitution to let women take the throne, according to a draft seen by local media.

The proposal is part of a wide-ranging review of Japan's constitution.

Also under discussion are controversial changes to extend the military's ability to act defensively when serving in missions overseas.

Any changes at all are likely to alarm Japan's neighbours in the region, still scarred from the effects of Japanese militarism during World War II.
news from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/4018745.stm

I'm afraid that including many changes in one constitutional review draft might kill it. When politicians try to hide controversial changes (such as the military's being allowed to act defensively here) with popular ones (like letting women access the throne), the good ones also die at vote time. It would be a shame for Aiko.

[mandyy]

FOCUS: Panel offers conflicting proposals on imperial succession in report

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/050726/kyodo/d8bj48k00.html

An Equal Opportunity Throne?

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/inte...366899,00.html
scroll down to the bottom and you'll see this article

Chrysanthemum throne may be open to a woman
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/...?oneclick=true

Female monarch an option in succession: gov't panel interim report
http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstS...storyid=194232

Japan urged to consider female monarchs

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/times...d/12227621.htm

[mandyy]

News photo from Japanese Broadcast Stations reporting about the Imperial succession in Japan on July 26, 2005.

#1: NNN News
#2: TBS news
#3: NHK news

[Australian]

it would be great if they could have female monarchs in future, :)

[mandyy]

Japan advised to prepare way for a reigning empress
http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...7/wjapan27.xml

[tiaraprin]

Japan needs to join the 21st Century on this!! They are at the forefront of so many things, but have 17th century attitudes about women.

There should be no problem with Princess Aiko ascending the throne. Change the laws of succession please in the constitution!!!

P.S. don't sneak in any sneaky proposals about the military while drafting these changes for the Japanese constitution. One thing they should rid themselves of with the new changes is abolish the Imperial Household Agency!!!:p

[rchainho]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...709801,00.html

The empire of the daughter
By Our Foreign Staff
Japan should consider allowing women to become reigning empresses, a government panel has advised, opening a public debate on the future of the oldest monarchy.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...nt_3270058.htm

Panel report favors female emperor in Japanwww.chinaview.cn 2005-07-26 19:36:47
TOKYO, July 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A report delivered by a government-backed panel on Tuesday said that a female should be allowed access to the throne.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/internatio...536575,00.html

Way paved for empress of Japan

Justin McCurry in Tokyo
Wednesday July 27, 2005
The Guardian

Japan moved a step closer to ending centuries of tradition - and solving a looming succession crisis - when a government panel said women should be allowed to sit on the throne.

[Frothy]

Yay! I wish all Royal Families would adopt this custom.

[tiaraprin]

This is looking promising!! Hold on Masako and Aiko!!!!

[mandyy]

Make succession system easy to understand
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/editoria...28TDY04005.htm

[wittykitty]

I sure hope it happens for Aiko. Otherwise Her uncle Prince Akishino will be next and then try to change the laws to favor his oldest daughter.
Wittykitty:(

[mandyy]

After 26 centuries, is Japan finally fit for a queen?
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor..._csm/ofemrex_1

[rchainho]

http://www.washtimes.com/world/20050...0804-6316r.htm

No male apparent, Japan mulls princess for throne

TOKYO(Agence France-Presse) -- A government-appointed panel said this week that letting a woman ascend the Japan- ese throne was one option to avert an imperial succession crisis, but added that there needs to be more debate about the idea, which is supported by much of the public.

[moosey60]

Finally! Now, Aiko will have the same opportunity as a brother/uncle to be empress. It is her birthright. I hope she'll be 2nd in the line of succession.

That being said, I think Liechtenstein should also review their succession laws.

[SpiffyBallerina]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20050728/ts_csm/ofemrex_1

Just another link to add. :)

I sure hope Japan allows for sweet Aiko to rule. Tradition is wonderful, but if it's a choice between tradition and the line dying out, or going in a newer direction and allowing the line to continue - then I think the Japanese would be wise to go with the latter.

[mandyy]

Parts from a magazine cover named Shukanjosei featuring an article about the succesion law in Japan
magazine issue featuring Aug. 16