The United Nations finally recommends that the imperial line be limited to males in the male line…A religious scholar says, “Revising the Imperial House Law → This is the only first step that ‘to bring about the attack of Emperor Aiko.”In the first place, the basis for limiting the imperial line to males in the male line is very weak.

At the end of October, a proposal was made by the United Nations to revise the Civil Code. This includes the issue of “Imperial Throne Succession,” and also calls for a review of the Imperial House Law, which states that “the Imperial throne shall be inherited by males in the male line.” Religious scholar Hiromi Shimada says, “It seems that the Conservatives or those who adhere to the male line have still inherited the ideas of the old Imperial House Law.”

United Nations recommendations related to the performance of Emperor Aiko

In an unexpected way, Japan was forced to move towards the achievement of Emperor Aiko.

On October 29, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women published its final observations, including recommendations for the Japanese government.

The proposals include amending the Civil Code to enable “different optional surnames for married couples”, allowing couples to use their pre-marital surnames if they wish, as well as ensuring equality between men and women after the Empire it is necessary to review the Law of the Imperial House, which is to be inherited.

Article 1 of the Imperial House Law states that “the Imperial throne shall be inherited by males in the male line of the Imperial line.” This provision constitutes discrimination against women. .

This is the fourth time the United Nations has proposed civil law reform to include optional surnames for married couples. This is the first time I have heard of the succession to the imperial throne. In 2016, there was a move to include this in the proposals, but it was removed after the Japanese government protested. However, this time it was included in the recommendations.

Photo = Kyodo News

Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of the Emperor and Empress, enters the Sento Imperial Palace to greet the Empress on her birthday, on the morning of October 20, 2024, in Minato-ku, Tokyo (representative photo)

Opposing the idea of ​​accepting a female emperor

In response, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a press conference on the 30th of the same month, “It is extremely regrettable that imperial succession was mentioned in the proposal,” and he strongly protested to the committee and he asked for that to be deleted.

Even before the proposal was issued, the government had argued at the committee that it was inappropriate to raise the issues of the imperial family in this way.

In addition, Nami Katsuragi, president of the National Alliance for the Protection of the Imperial Line, gave a speech at the committee, saying, “The Emperor is the king of ceremonies The United Nations does not say that this is discrimination against women, even though all the Dalai Lamas are men. Why don’t they only say that to Japan?” This association is a voluntary organization that strongly opposes the idea of ​​allowing a female emperor, and wants the return of the 11 imperial families who were made subjects after the war to the imperial family.

Since the proposals are not legally binding, there is no need for Japan to immediately revise the Imperial Household Law. However, if she does not move in that direction, it is likely that the committee will make the same recommendation next time. It will be a constant pressure.

After the proposal was issued, Katsuragi said in an interview with the Sankei Shimbun, “We should firmly maintain our stance of owning “the foundations of the country.” ”We can ignore the proposal.”