Japan's royal family, the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy, is facing a succession crisis - because women still aren't allowed to take to the throne. Under current Japanese law, princesses aren't currently allowed to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne - and must leave if they choose to marry a commoner The current monarch, Emperor Naruhito, 64, pictured centre, has been on …
TOKYO — Japanese Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito, on Wednesday turned 20, ready for a debut as a new adult member to take a share of official duties for the royal family whose population continues to shrink under the male-only succession law. Under Japanese law, she also has to leave her family if she marries a commoner, just …
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Japanese Princess Aiko, the daughter …
If shorn of titles and public standing, the marriage between two thirty-year-olds, Mako and Kei Komuro, would have the fairy tale culmination of a long period of courtship and romance. But in Japan where even if the monarchy is constitutionally “symbolic”, Princess Mako’s wedding to the “commoner” Komuro was not just any love story. Symbolising this patriarchal setting is the …
