According to The Japan Times:
Defense Minister Taro Kono [said:] “Maintaining the male-line imperial succession system is the most desirable option”
The minister, however, said that the country should also consider an option of allowing female members to remain in the imperial family after marriage as heads of family branches and have their children ascend to the throne, or possibly reinstate former male imperial family members or have them ascend to the throne through adoption.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have one child, 18-year-old Princess Aiko. Prince Hisahito, the 13-year-old nephew of the emperor, is the only grandson of Naruhito’s father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito.
To read the entire article in The Japan Times, please click here.
