Brazil's opponent in the World Cup, Japan tries to save the monarchy without breaking tradition; understand

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (left) had no sons (Archive). Pool for Yomiuri/AP Photo/picture alliance via DW Japan's imperial family finds itself at a crossroads: aware of the current shortage of male heirs – the only ones legally eligible to occupy the throne – it is shrinking more and more due to the automatic exclusion of princesses from royalty after they marry. The situation represents a challenge for a millennial institution, seen as an element of national cohesion, and has worried politicians for over two decades. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp Now, seven parties, including opposition and ruling parties, have reached a consensus and presented a bill to change the Imperial House Law, with the goal of ensuring a sufficient number of members in the royal family. Sanae Takaichi's government intends to send the proposal to Parliament soon to ensure its approval within the current legislative term. The project provides for the inclusion in the imperial family of adopted men, aged 15 and over, who are descendants of the paternal lineage of old aristocratic families. In Japan, adoption traditionally ensures male succession. Such a solution would be a victory for conservatives, who want to avoid a woman on the Chrysanthemum Throne at all costs. Now on g1 The second amendment to the law also goes in this direction. It allows women in the family to remain in the imperial house after marriage, should they wish to do so. Currently, princesses lose their title upon marriage. In this way, the imperial family could more easily fulfill its representative functions, such as the various patronages of charitable organizations and other institutions. However, the parties did not reach an agreement on including civil spouses and their descendants in the imperial house. This could pave the way for succession to the throne by descendants of princesses. Since the death of Emperor Showa in 1989, the imperial family has shrunk from 21 to 16 members. The male line of direct succession has only Crown Prince Fumihito, 60, and his 19-year-old son, Hisahito. The former is the brother of Emperor Naruhito, 66; the latter, his nephew. This line of succession is expected to be maintained. Among the five unmarried women is Aiko, the 24-year-old daughter of the current emperor. Very popular, Aiko, known as Princess Toshi, is considered the ideal candidate to take the throne. A survey conducted in May by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper showed that 72% of Japanese support a female heir to the throne. However, Japanese conservatives have blocked this solution until now and, with that, have obtained multi-party support. The Japanese Crown Prince Akishino is the emperor's younger brother. Beside him is Crown Princess Kiko. Behind the couple appears their daughter, Princess Kako. Kyodo News/AP Photo/picture alliance via DW The main spokesperson is Takaichi, ironically, the first woman to lead Japan. "The historical fact that imperial continuity has been transmitted for 126 generations through men is unique in the world and constitutes the source of the emperor's authority and legitimacy," stated the prime minister in April, during a congress of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Isao Tokoro, an expert on the history of the imperial house system, contextualized the planned legal changes in the Asahi newspaper: "They are deliberately trying to hide the true intentions, but the goals behind the changes are clearly recognizable, that is, to keep everything as it is." Return after 80 years The eleven branches of the imperial family, with 51 members at the time, lost their aristocratic status in 1947, by order of the American occupation force after World War II. Currently, there are ten unmarried men in the male line of these branches who could be considered candidates for adoption. It would be a return after almost 80 years in which these families lived as ordinary citizens. The current bill excludes that these adopted former aristocrats can become emperors, but leaves open whether their male descendants will have the right to succession. However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Eisuke Mori, of the LDP, has already indicated the direction of the new regulation. "If a boy is born, that child will have the right to the throne," he said. Shortly after, he backtracked under pressure from opposition parties, as his statement had exceeded the "legislative consensus." Risk to the acceptance of the monarchy Prince Hisahito (center) celebrated his coming of age on September 6, 2025, upon turning 19. Kyodo News/AP Photo/picture alliance via DW The intricate plan may, however, compromise the acceptance of the monarchy in Japan if young ordinary citizens, hitherto unknown, are suddenly elevated to the status of princes and begin to represent the imperial house. Who seems to see a risk in this is Emperor Naruhito, who, although he cannot make political statements, spoke out in an unusually direct way two weeks ago. He hopes for a "result of the discussions that finds understanding from public opinion." But there is no sign of understanding. Even conservative newspapers have expressed doubts about the reform and defended making the gender issue for imperial succession more flexible. However, Japanese conservatives, who dominate Parliament, see the imperial house as the strongest symbol of the traditional patriarchal family structure, which they want to preserve against changes in social norms, such as greater gender equality. For this reason, they also reject same-sex marriage and different surnames for couples. However, in the family of conservative Prime Minister Takaichi, it was her husband who adopted her surname. "There are traditions that can be changed, but there are also those that should not change, and exclusively male and patrilineal succession is one of them," stated Akira Momochi, professor emeritus at Nihon University, in a televised debate.