The Japanese government has approved a draft amendment to the Imperial Household Law to allow princesses to retain their status as imperial family members after marriage, and to accept adopted male-line heirs from former imperial branches, aiming to solve the problem of the declining number of imperial family members.
On 1 July 2026 GMT+7, the Japanese Cabinet approved a draft amendment to the Imperial Household Law to address the ongoing decline in the number of imperial family members. The government plans to submit the draft for parliamentary consideration during the current session. The key point of the amendment is to allow female imperial family members to retain their status even after marrying commoners, whereas the current law requires them to leave the imperial family upon such marriage. However, during a transitional period, female members who hold their status before the law takes effect may still choose to leave the imperial family after marriage if they wish.
Additionally, the draft law permits the adoption of male-line heirs from 11 former imperial branches, which lost their royal status after World War II in 1947, to increase the number of imperial family members. Candidates for adoption must be at least 15 years old, single, and childless. Such adoptees will not have succession rights, but any sons they father after adoption will be eligible for succession according to the law.
Currently, the Japanese imperial family consists of 16 members, including Emperor Naruhito. The law stipulates that only male-line imperial family members are eligible to ascend the throne, resulting in only three individuals currently having succession rights.
Source: NHK