TOKYO – The following are questions and answers about changes to Japan’s Imperial House Law enacted by Parliament on July 17.

Why has Japan revised the Imperial House Law?

The revision to the 1947 Imperial House Law aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy as the number of imperial family members continues to decline.

Only male members of the imperial family who descend from the emperor through the male line can ascend the throne, while female members lose their imperial status upon marrying commoners. The family now has 16 members – five men and 11 women.

Those eligible to succeed Emperor Naruhito, 66, are his younger brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, 60, his nephew, Prince Hisahito, 19, and his uncle, Prince Hitachi, 90.

How has the law changed?

One change would allow the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older descended through the male line from 11 former branch families stripped of their imperial status in 1947 under the US occupation following Japan’s defeat in World War II.

The 11 former branch families and the current emperor share a common male-line ancestor dating back around 600 years, making them extremely distant relatives separated by 36 to 38 degrees of kinship.

The other change will allow female members to retain their imperial status after marrying commoners, although their spouses and children will not become members of the imperial family.

The women will be entitled to the same annual allowance as male members, set at 30.5 million yen (S$242,000) per person for fiscal 2026.

Would adopted male members be eligible to ascend the throne?

No. Adopted male ...