Of changing times and the future of Japan’s female royals

In the public eye: Princess Mako (second from left) with her sister Princess Kako (left), mother Princess Kiko and father Prince Akishino. — Reuters

AS Princess Mako, the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, is expected to be engaged to a former university mate, a debate on the idea of enabling female members of the imperial family to establish their own imperial branches while retaining their imperial status after marriage, is attracting attention.

On Friday, Japan’s Cabinet passed a Bill establishing a special measures law to realise the abdication of the Emperor. Some legislative members wanted to add the creation of female imperial branches to the discussion, aiming to put it in a legislative resolution accompanying the enactment of the special measures law. A great question is to what extent they will be able to do so.