Jul 17, 2026
✦AP News
Japan's parliament enshrines male-only succession for imperial family
Japan’s parliament enacted a historic revision to the Imperial House Law on Friday, insisting only paternal-lineage men can become emperor. Expert Hideya Kawanishi said, “It’s a declaration to prevent female monarchs and to defend the male-lineage at all costs.” These new measures allow adopting distant male relatives to father future heirs.