Regarding the April 4 Kyodo article "Limits eyed for female Imperial branches": The Japanese Imperial system should allow not only female branches but also a future female emperor. As the U.N. charter for human rights postulates the same rights for men and women, I think the Emperor, as the head of society, should give a nod to equal gender rights. How can gender equality improve in a country when it does not even appear to apply to the top figure?

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

hans peter schneider