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Japan's National Diet approved amendments to the Imperial House Law of 1947 on 17 July 2026, the first substantial revision of the statute in 79 years.
Succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne remains restricted to male members of the imperial family.
Female members may now keep their imperial status after marrying commoners, but their husbands and children do not enter the imperial family or the line of succession.
The imperial family may adopt unmarried male paternal-line descendants aged 15 and above from 11 former branch families that lost royal status in 1947.
An adoptee himself cannot succeed to the throne, but his male patrilineal descendants become eligible.
Japan's principal statute on imperial succession, membership of the imperial family and royal status. Enacted under the post-war constitutional order, it was amended substantially for the first time in 2026.
Article 1 makes the Emperor the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people, deriving his position from the will of the people; Article 2 provides that the throne is dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.
Japan's bicameral legislature, comprising the House of Representatives (lower house) and the House of Councillors (upper house); it alone can amend the Imperial House Law
Government agency that administers the affairs of the Emperor and the imperial family, including succession and ceremonial matters
GS Paper II > Comparative constitutional systems and international developments
General Awareness > International current affairs
The traditional term for the throne of the Emperor of Japan and, by extension, the institution of the Japanese monarchy.
Japan's 1947 statute governing succession, marriage and membership of the imperial family; amendable only by the National Diet.
Succession traced through male ancestors alone, the principle retained by the 2026 amendment, under which an adoptee's sons may succeed though the adoptee may not.