Editorial

15:05 JST, February 1, 2025

It would be the desire of many of the people to maintain the Imperial family into the future. It is important to consider the ideal system, placing top priority on the continuation of the Imperial line.

The ruling and opposition parties have resumed discussions on what form the Imperial succession should take. The discussions began in May last year, but there are gaps between the opinions of the parties, and a conclusion has been postponed.

The decrease in the number of Imperial family members is serious. The number, which was 26 three decades ago, now stands at 16. Of these, only three are eligible to succeed to the throne: Crown Prince Akishino, 59; Prince Hisahito, 18, the son of Crown Prince Akishino; and Prince Hitachi, 89, the younger brother of the Emperor Emeritus.

In addition, under the current circumstances, five unmarried female members, including Princess Aiko, 23, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, are supposed........

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