Japanese survey reveals 90% support reigning empress

A new survey in Japan has shed light on what the Japanese people think about a woman sitting on the Chrysanthemum Throne.

According to a recent Kyodo News poll, 90% of those surveyed support a reigning empress.

The poll was conducted in March and April ahead of the fifth anniversary of Emperor Naruhito ascending throne after the abdication of his father, Akihito.

Additionally, 72% said they felt a “sense of crisis” over the instability of the line of succession.

At the moment, only men can inherit the throne, and the Japanese line of succession has three people – Crown Prince Fumihito (58), Prince Hisahito (17) and Prince Hitachi (88).

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako only have one child, Princess Aiko. Under the current Japanese laws, once Aiko marries a commoner, she must leave the Imperial Family and renounce her titles.

There has been considerable debate on how to correct the Japanese succession problem, including allowing females in the line of succession and letting women have their own branches of the family.