A money row linked to the boyfriend of Princess Mako has apparently been influencing Japan's debate over whether to change its male-only imperial succession rules amid a shrinking number of heirs.
A government advisory panel heard from a total of 21 experts from various fields in its meetings from April 8 through June 7 to discuss options including allowing women to reign and for emperors to descend from the maternal line.
But as panel members did so, the controversy over the planned marriage between Princess Mako, 29, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, and Kei Komuro, also 29 and a recent law school graduate, continued to simmer, with opponents of change appearing to seize on public unease over it to help make their case.