Centuries Ago Women Ruled Japan - Today They Can't Be Queens In Royal Family

Japan's monarchy is one of the oldest in the world, but its rigid adherence to male-only succession has raised significant questions about gender equality in the royal family. Despite societal modernization and global shifts toward gender inclusivity, women in Japan’s royal family remain excluded from the throne. This article explores the historical, legal, and cultural reasons behind this exclusion, alongside the evolving debate around women’s rights within the monarchy.

Prince Hisahito’s Position in the Line of Succession

On September 6, 2024, Prince Hisahito turned 18, becoming the first royal family member to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years. His position in the royal family, as the nephew of King Naruhito and son of Crown Prince Akishino, places him in line for the Chrysanthemum Throne, despite not being the direct heir. 

King Naruhito, Japan’s reigning monarch, has only one child, Princess Aiko. However, under Japan's Imperial House Law of 1947, Princess Aiko is ineligible to become queen. This law has cemented a tradition that only male descendants may inherit the throne, a belief that continues to dictate the royal succession process today.

The Historical and Cultural Roots of Male-Only Succession

Japan’s monarchy traces its origins back centuries, evolving within a cultural framework that has historically favoured male dominance. The male-centric societal values, deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, were institutionalized through the Imperial House Law. This law, enacted in 1947, officially restricted the throne to male members of the royal family, ensuring male supremacy in matters of succession.

This tradition, while firmly established in the post-war era, finds its roots in broader societal views on gender roles. Japanese society has long been patriarchal, and the Imperial family has mirrored these values. Despite several attempts to introduce legal reforms allowing female ascension to the throne, none have succeeded. The last serious proposal occurred after Princess Aiko's birth, but it was shelved when Prince Hisahito was born in 2006, temporarily resolving the lack of male heirs.

Gender Inequality in Royal Marriages and Inheritance

The 1947 Imperial House Law not only governs royal succession but also enforces strict rules regarding marriage and inheritance within the royal family. Under this law, if a princess marries a commoner, she must relinquish her royal status and title. The law allows her a one-time financial settlement but strips her of any rights to inheritance or future participation in royal duties. In contrast, a male prince who marries a commoner retains his royal status, and his children can inherit titles and property.

These gender-discriminatory regulations are a reflection of Japan’s broader societal issues surrounding gender roles and equality. The royal family, long considered a symbol of national tradition, continues to uphold these norms, despite ongoing discussions to amend them.

Japan’s Demographic Crisis and Its Impact on the Royal Family

Japan’s declining population, coupled with an ageing society, has intensified debates over gender equality in the royal family. The country has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, with fewer males being born in recent decades. This demographic challenge has directly impacted the royal family, where only four of the 17 members are male, and no male heir has been born since Prince Hisahito in 2006.

This situation has reignited discussions on whether women should be allowed to ascend the throne. As Japan grapples with a shrinking population and a scarcity of male heirs, the pressure to revise the Imperial Law has gained momentum. While discussions have intensified since 2017, strong conservative opposition has stalled meaningful progress.

The Historical Role of Female Empresses in Japan

Interestingly, female rulers were once an essential part of Japan’s history, challenging the notion that the monarchy has always excluded women. Archaeological evidence suggests that female chieftains wielded power in the fourth century, leading both politically and militarily. Japan’s first recorded empress, Suiko, ruled for 35 years starting in 592 and is credited with drafting the country’s first constitution.

Other influential female rulers, such as Empress Koken (later known as Empress Shotoku) and Empress Genmei, played significant roles in shaping Japan’s political and religious environments. However, by the late 19th century, the role of female rulers was systematically erased from the monarchy’s structure. In 1889, the male-only succession rule was cemented, with female rulers being relegated to history books.

The Meiji Era: A Turning Point for Gender Roles in the Monarchy

The exclusion of women from the Japanese throne came into being during the Meiji Era (1868-1912) when Japan underwent rapid modernization. Meiji leaders, seeking to emulate Western powers like Prussia, introduced a male-dominated system of governance. The emperor’s role was reshaped to include military leadership, a position deemed ‘unsuitable for women’, leading to the formal prohibition of female rulers in 1889.

This era also saw the introduction of laws that reinforced patriarchy across Japanese society. Wives and children were subordinated under male heads of households, a shift that had lasting effects on gender dynamics, both within the monarchy and in broader society.

Post-War Changes and Unfulfilled Promises of Reform

Following World War II, Japan underwent significant social reforms under U.S. occupation. However, despite the introduction of democratic values, women’s right to ascend the throne was not reinstated. American authorities were cautious about disrupting the emperor’s symbolic status and chose to leave the issue of female succession to future Japanese governments.

In the early 2000s, under Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a government panel considered allowing female succession, given the lack of male heirs. However, the birth of Prince Hisahito in 2006 once again halted these efforts, as conservatives argued there was no longer an immediate need to alter the law.

Still A Contemporary Debate: Will Japan Allow a Female Monarch?

Despite growing global awareness around gender equality, Japan’s royal family remains resistant to change. A 2017 poll showed that nearly two-thirds of Japanese citizens support a revision of the Imperial Law to allow women to ascend the throne. However, political inertia and conservative opposition have kept such reforms at bay.

While Japan has taken steps to empower women in the workforce under its “womenomics” initiative, progress has been slow in political and leadership roles. Female representation in Japan’s legislature remains one of the lowest in the world, highlighting deep-seated gender biases that persist even at the highest levels of society.

The Path Forward for Japan’s Monarchy

The ‘issue of female succession’ in Japan’s royal family remains a contentious and unresolved topic. Despite the long-standing tradition of male-only succession, history shows that female rulers once played a prominent role in Japan’s monarchy. Today, amid changing societal attitudes and demographic challenges, the debate over women’s place in the royal family continues.

Whether Japan’s monarchy will adapt to these changes or remain entrenched in tradition remains to be seen. For now, the possibility of a female emperor is unlikely, but the growing calls for reform suggest that this could change in the future.