The government in early October, on the basis of hearings from experts, proposed that married female members of the Imperial Family create branch families within the Imperial Family and continue to retain the status of members of the Imperial Family. Under the 1947 Imperial Household Law, female members of the Imperial Family must become commoners upon marriage, giving up their position and official membership in the Imperial Family. The proposal is aimed at preventing a decrease in the number of Imperial Family members so that the Imperial Family can continue its functions in a stable manner.
Although the government avoided touching on Article 1 of the Imperial Household Law, which states that the Imperial throne will be succeeded by a male offspring descended along the male line, its proposal cannot be separated from the issue of how to ensure stable Imperial succession.
With regard to Imperial status, traditionalists are opposed to the creation of branch families headed by women members of the Imperial Family because they are concerned that such a system might lead to a person from the female line ascending the Imperial throne. Progressives, meanwhile, accept allowing females to become emperor and for their first-born children to ascend the Imperial throne. Constructive and informed public discussions on the future shape of the Imperial Family are needed.