Japan Revises Imperial Succession Rules, But Still Excludes Women The latest revisions to Japan's imperial succession laws have sparked renewed debate over the country's centuries old patrilineal system.
The adjustments made by parliament aim to ensure the continuation of the royal line, but in doing so, they reinforce the same patriarchal biases that have defined Japan's monarchy for generations.
One apparent step forward is the allowance for Japanese princesses to marry "commoner" husbands without losing their royal status.