THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
November 30, 2024 at 15:27 JST
Crown Prince Fumihito meets with media representatives ahead of his 59th birthday on Nov. 30. (Pool)
Crown Prince Fumihito signaled that he wishes the issue of succession was handled in less clinical fashion as any change will impact the imperial family members “who are real live humans.”
The remark by the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito appeared aimed at Diet discussions on the thinning ranks of male heirs to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The occasionally outspoken Fumihito met with media representatives ahead of his 59th birthday on Nov. 30.
The Imperial House Law states that female imperial family members must relinquish their status upon marriage.
The aging of imperial family members is one factor behind the decrease in their numbers from 26 in the 1990s to 16 today.
The two houses of the Diet began discussions in May about revising the law to secure an adequate number of imperial family members in the future.
Committees chaired by the Lower House speaker and Upper House president have held sessions to discuss legal revisions.
A government panel of experts presented two proposals in 2021, with one allowing female imperial family members to retain their status even after marriage.
Most of the political parties involved in the discussions have expressed support for the proposal, but there are still many details to be worked out, such as the status of the husband, who through necessity would come from outside the imperial family, after marriage as well as any children.
In the news conference, Fumihito was asked if he felt the Diet members discussing the matter should hear directly from imperial family members since they would be directly affected by any legal revisions.
He refrained from commenting, citing the fact the subject was directly related to the imperial household system.
But he did point out that “imperial family members who would be affected are real live humans.”
As such, he said “those within the Imperial Household Agency holding important posts and who provide support for the daily lives and work (of imperial family members) would have to understand what situation the members would be placed in (due to any changes) as well as what their views are on possible changes.”
In a 2009 news conference, Fumihito said there will be a need at some point in the discussions “to hear the views of the crown prince and others who would be directly affected in the future” by any changes.
His latest statement was seen as reflecting his concerns about the impact any change to the Imperial House Law will have on the lives of younger members of the imperial family.
Fumihito also referred to criticism directed against his own family based on speculation and misinformation which he said bordered “on bullying.”
He was also asked about his only son, Prince Hisahito, who in September turned 18, becoming an adult member of the imperial family.
Fumihito said he felt a new deep emotion that a “child who only a few years ago sat in the car child seat” was now an adult.
(This article was written by Ayako Nakada and Yuko Kawasaki.)
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