Kenneth Glad
Fame usually brings a certain kind of power. Millions of people line up for hours just to catch a glimpse of you. But sometimes, all that adoration cannot break through the thick stone walls of ancient tradition.
Princess Aiko is the biggest star in Japan right now. As a 24-year-old, she graces magazine covers and sparks fashion trends overnight.
Huge crowds stand in the sweltering summer heat to see her arrive at official events. But a law from the 1800s stands in her way, according to The Guardian.
Because she is a woman, she can never take the throne. The nation faces a severe shortage of heirs, prompting citizens to demand answers.
A fading family tree
Just a generation ago, the monarchy boasted a robust roster of 30 people. Today, that figure has plummeted to a mere 16, with males taking up just five spots.
The current line of succession holds just three names. One of them is a 90-year-old uncle. The fate of the monarchy largely rests on a 20-year-old university student named Prince Hisahito.
If the young prince does not eventually have a son, the entire 1,500-year-old lineage could vanish. A newspaper poll found that 72 percent of people want a woman to rule.
Only 10 percent opposed the idea. The public seems ready for change, but the government refuses to budge.
Sticking to tradition
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently pushed through rules to protect the male-only line. Tradition always wins. Under the updated laws, distant male relatives could soon join the inner family circle.
The United Nations urged Japan to allow a female leader in 2024. Officials in Tokyo brushed off the advice, calling it “regrettable” and “inappropriate,” according to The Guardian.
Makoto Okawa is a professor at Chuo University in Tokyo. He told the newspaper that the recent legal amendment “clearly points towards maintaining the male-line succession” despite public feelings.
Watching her grow
People feel deeply connected to the emperor’s only child. After all, they watched the shy little girl grow into a confident diplomat.
Jin is a royal fan. She runs a social media page dedicated to the princess, telling The Guardian that the young royal deserves the top role.
“She is the emperor’s only direct descendant, and her character and dignity are of the highest caliber,” Jin said.
For now, the palace doors remain closed. To see a female ruler, fans will just have to keep waiting in the heat.
Sources: The Guardian, Mainichi Shimbun
