The Japanese government finds it extremely unfortunate that the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has recommended revising the Imperial Family Law to ensure gender equality when inheriting the throne, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
“It's extremely unfortunate. We have complained to the committee and demanded that it be withdrawn," TASS quoted him as saying. In a document adopted on October 29, the UN committee advised Japan to study the experience of other countries that have revised their succession laws. and "amend the Imperial Succession Law to guarantee equality of women and men in succession to the throne."
During the discussions, the Japanese delegation insisted that it was not a question of the committee's jurisdiction. Currently, the throne in Japan is passed down only through the male line. Relatedly, there are some concerns about the future of the imperial house, as current Emperor Naruhito has only three potential heirs: his younger brother Prince Akishino, 58, the latter's son, the emperor's cousin Prince Hisahito, 18, as well as Naruhito's uncle, 88-year-old Prince Hitati. The Japanese government has previously set up advisory groups to discuss ways out of the difficult situation.
Among the ideas discussed were the restoration of the rights of other branches of the imperial house, the granting of the right to the throne to potential female heirs, that is, the sons of the emperors' daughters, as well as the granting of inheritance rights directly to women.
Thus, according to the poll conducted by Kyodo in April, about 90% of the population approved it. However, conservative authorities are wary of this topic and are delaying its discussion.
