Japanese Succession?

[lostfan]

I really wasn't sure where to put this, since there isn't a forum for talk about the Japanese Imperial Family (but maybe one will show up soon?) ...but this is a Romanov-similar situation.

I don't know how many of you have heard about the "crisis" in Japan's Imperial Family. None of the Emperor's sons, brothers or male cousins have sons; all of the children are girls. In late 2005, a panel was formed to discuss altering the laws to allow female succession, so that the Crown Prince's only child, Princess Aiko, might become Empress. However a week or so ago, it was announced that the Crown Prince's sister-in-law, Princess Kiko, wife of his brother Fumihito (or Akishino, or Aya, Japanese names confuse me a little ) is pregnant with her third child. So the discussion has stopped until they learn the gender of the baby. If it's a boy, from what I understand, they'll discard the idea of changing the succession so that he can reign.

What does everyone think of this? When I first heard it, I was immediatly reminded of the "crisis" in Russia with OTMA's being born. It's almost ironic that this is happening just a little over 100 years since then. Do you think they should wait to find our the sex of the baby, or just open female succession? Any bets on the baby's gender?

[nelly]

There have been empresses in their own right in Japan before.  This limitation to heirs male is a recent one.  Remember that the ancester of the Japanese royal house was the Sun Goddess Amaterasu!!

[Margarita Markovna]

Of course I think that girls should be able to rule in their own right in Japan. However, if it's a boy I do not think that it will be considered anytime soon.  :-/

[julia.montague]

If they don't change the law of succession, the baby, if it's a boy would become Emperor instead of Aiko

[aya-anya]

Hi, I'm interested in this---I live in Japan and whenever this topic is featured on TV, I cannot help but compare it with the Romanov situation.

In my personal opinion, I am unable to unserstand why they are so obsessed with male heirs...I also think girls should be able to rule in their own right in Japan. If it's a boy then Princess Aiko will not be able to rule? It'll be quite funny, considering the Crown Prince's wife, Masako-sama has been under pressure because of this issue.

This issue could also show "gender issues" in Japan. Somehow, girls in Japan have been considered as a weak one (and boys should protect them) ever since the Meiji era; more than 100 years ago. Things haven't been changed. Okay, this might be non-related to this topic, but what is it that interrupts girls in Japan?

aya-anya

[clockworkgirl21]

It's also because the last name of the Royal family (correct way to say that?) would change. I guess the man could take his wife's last name, but I doubt they'd find that appropriate.

[divine_grace]

Are there any pictures of Princess Aiko?

[Annie]

I have heard that the Crown Princess has suffered much the same as Alix, stress over not getting pregnant, not having a boy, trying different treatments, getting depressed. The Crown Prince should have gotten married a lot sooner to a younger woman if he wanted to make sure they'd get their heir. Now the pressure is on them.

I don't think their daughter should be skipped over for a boy cousin, though, that's just wrong:(