Japan's parliament has approved amendments to the Imperial House Law that ease succession rules but maintain the ban on women ascending the throne, according to Associated Press and BBC News. This is the first revision to the core of the law in over 75 years, aimed at addressing the shrinking imperial family.

One amendment allows the imperial family to adopt male relatives aged 15 and older from paternal lines, applicable only to the 11 collateral branches that were removed from the imperial family in 1947. At that time, 51 members of these branches renounced their imperial status to reduce the monarchy's financial burden after World War II.

A second amendment permits imperial women to retain their status after marrying a commoner. Previously, they were forced to give up their imperial title and leave the family. This change is intended to increase the number of family members performing official imperial duties.

Japan has the world's oldest continuous monarchy, with a history spanning over 2,600 years. The current emperor is 66-year-old Naruhito, who has no male heir. Under current rules, the first in line is the emperor's 60-year-old brother, Fumihito, followed by Fumihito's 19-year-old son, Prince Hisahito. The third and final candidate is the emperor's 90-year-old uncle.

According to AP, the amendments have sparked public discontent. Critics argue that the changes are aimed at sidelining Princess Aiko, Naruhito's only child, and perpetuating discrimination against women and the patriarchal system. The agency notes that 24-year-old Princess Aiko is very popular among Japanese, and many wish to see her succeed her father.

Source: www.gazeta.uz