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Japan

Japanese government considering government posts for female Imperial Family members

The Japanese government is considering giving government posts to female Imperial Family members after they have lost their imperial status upon marriage to commoners. This would allow them to continue their royal work after leaving the Imperial Family.

Informed government sources have said this is one way the government is considering addressing the declining numbers of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Currently, Japanese law requires women to leave the Imperial Family and lose their imperial status upon marriage to a commoner. As such, the family’s numbers continue to dwindle. At the moment, the family has 13 female members, six of whom are not married – including Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s 18-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko.

The Emperor’s niece, Princess Mako, is engaged, but her wedding has been postponed due to a financial controversy involving her fiancé’s family and the pandemic.

The last female to leave the Imperial Family was former Princess Ayako (now Ayako Moriya) who married in October 2018. She and her husband, Kei, have now one son.

Women are also not allowed to inherit the throne. There are only three people in the line of succession: Crown Prince Akishino (54), Prince Hisahito (14) and Prince Hitachi (84).

About author

Brittani is from Tennessee, USA. She is a political scientist and historian after graduating with a degree in the topics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in December 2014. She also holds a master's degree from Northeastern University. She enjoys reading and researching all things regarding the royals of the world. She's been researching, reading, and writing on royalty for over a decade. She became Europe Editor in October 2016, and then Deputy Editor in January 2019, and has been featured on several podcasts, radio shows, news broadcasts and websites including Global News Canada, ABC News Australia, WION India and BBC World News.