Why can’t Japan have a female emperor?
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges facing the Japanese imperial family regarding succession and the debate over allowing a female emperor.
The Japanese imperial family is running out of members — with only 16 royals remaining, questions are growing about the future of the world's oldest hereditary monarchy. So what is the Japanese government's plan to safeguard the imperial line, and why is it proving so controversial? Japan is facing a royal succession dilemma. With a shrinking imperial family, fewer members are available to carry out official duties, while the pool of potential heirs continues to narrow. To address the issue, the Japanese government is considering allowing male descendants of former imperial branches to rejoin the imperial family. Supporters argue it would help preserve the traditional male line of succession and secure the future of the monarchy. But not everyone agrees. Many in Japan favour a different solution: allowing women to retain their imperial status after marriage and even paving the way for a future empress to ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. The debate has opened up broader questions about tradition, gender equality and the future role of the monarchy in modern Japan. In this episode of Asia Specific, host Mariko Oi is joined by Japanese journalist Mayu Yoshida and David McNeill…
More episodes of Asia Specific
- Inside a major baby trafficking trial in Indonesia
- Why armed men killed a US pilot in Indonesia
- Thailand’s sex worker legal limbo
- Are microdramas the future of entertainment?
- Why cancer patients are travelling to China
- What makes a Pokemon card worth millions?
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Asia Specific podcast page.