Japanese lawmakers are considering creating a new honourary title for female imperial family members who lose their royal status after marriage, in order to allow them to continue engaging in public duties.
The Japanese Imperial Family is believed to be the oldest hereditary royal family in the world, and their traditions go back hundreds of years. Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, women may not ascend the throne. This law also dictates that the noble line may only run through imperial-born males. Even if an imperial woman is allowed to remain the royal family, her sons may not inherit because their father is not imperial.
The law also states that while women who marry into the imperial family gain royal status, imperial women who marry someone of no aristocratic or royal background cannot remain official members of the family. As such, they lose their royal title and position in her family. This rule does not apply to male members of the imperial family.
Over the years, many imperial women have had to leave the royal family for love, causing concerns that there will not be enough royals left to perform their duties. At least eight members of the royal family have been forced to give up their royal status for marriage since the law was imposed.
The Japanese government are now considering giving married female imperial family members the honourary title ‘kojo’, which will allow them to retain a small status in the royal family. Instead of revising the Imperial House Law, government are considering creating special legislation to support this.
This may be an easier pill to swallow for conservatives who are opposed to women ascending the throne or staying in the royal family after marrying a commoner.
If this comes into effect, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s daughter Princess Aiko, as well as Crown Prince Akishino’s daughters Princess Mako and Princess Kako will be among those to receive the new title.
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