A way has to be found to secure a "stable" accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Friday, expressing concern over the small number of successors to the crown.
The remark by the top government spokesman came a day after Emperor Akihito was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital, where he was admitted for bronchial pneumonia Nov. 6.
The Imperial House Law stipulates that only males can ascend the throne, which only leaves Crown Prince Naruhito, his brother, Prince Akishino, and Akishino's son, Prince Hisahito, to succeed the current Emperor. During a news conference Friday morning, Fujimura said a thorough discussion is necessary to resolve the issue.