TOKYO — The House of Councillors passed a revision to the Imperial Household Law on July 17, 2026, by a vote of 184 to 57. The revised legislation alters rules governing membership and succession within Japan's imperial institution while maintaining a strictly male-only succession line.

The revised law permits the adoption of male children from former cadet branches who were removed from the Imperial Household in 1947. Under the new provisions, adoptees must be at least 15 years old and without a wife or child. The law also allows female members of the Imperial Household to retain their status after marrying commoners, though the spouses and children of female royals who marry commoners are not admitted into the Imperial Household and remain ordinary citizens.

Only male descendants in the line of succession are eligible to ascend to the throne under the revised law. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi described the passage of the bill as "deeply moving." Takaichi is the first woman to hold the office of Prime Minister of Japan.

The Constitutional Democratic Party argued that the government broke from consensus by including provisions regarding the line of succession. The party's criticism focused on the decision to maintain the male-only succession requirement despite broader discussions about the institution's future.

Sven Saaler, a professor at Sophia University, stated that the amendment shows gender equality is not a priority for Prime Minister Takaichi. He added that the prospect of a woman on the imperial throne has become more remote with this amendment.

The Imperial Household currently has 16 members. There are currently three candidates in the line of succession: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito, and Prince Hitachi. Emperor Naruhito is 66 years old, Crown Prince Akishino is 60 years old, Prince Hisahito is 19 years old, Prince Hitachi is 90 years old, and Princess Aiko is 24 years old.

The revision addresses concerns about the shrinking size of the Imperial Household and the limited number of individuals eligible to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne. With only 16 members remaining and three male candidates in the line of succession, the changes aim to bolster the institution's long-term viability by allowing the reintegration of male descendants from former cadet branches and enabling female royals to retain their status upon marriage to commoners. The decision to maintain male-only succession, however, has drawn criticism from those who argue the reforms could have gone further in addressing gender inequality within the imperial system.