Princess engagement reignites debate on shrinking royal line

August 29, 2017

TOKYO- The coming informal engagement of Princess Mako, the first grandchild of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, to former university classmate and law firm employee Kei Komuro has reignited debate on the dwindling Imperial Family of Japan.

The Imperial House Law of 1947 stipulates that princesses must leave the Imperial Family when they marry commoners. The number of family members will drop to 18 when Princess Mako and Komuro, both 25, tie the knot.

Pundits warn that the monarchy will become unable to fulfill official duties unless something is done promptly.

Japan's parliament passed a law in June to permit Emperor Akihito to abdicate, paving the way for the first succession from a living Emperor in about 200 years.

Reflecting growing concern about the shrinking pool of royals, special committees in both chambers of parliament adopted a resolution calling for studies on measures such as allowing the creation of Imperial branches headed by women. The resolution was watered down, however, reflecting opinion in conservative forces of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party that female Imperial branches could lead to a woman or someone on the maternal Imperial bloodline ascending to the throne. Jiji Press