Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, has called on a United Nations panel to retract its recommendation for the revision of Japan’s Imperial House Law. This appeal follows a report from the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, which criticized the law for allowing only male descendants from the paternal line of the Imperial Family to ascend to the throne.
During a press conference on October 30, Hayashi expressed that the recommendation was “very regrettable” and emphasized Japan’s firm protest against the committee’s stance. He argued that the issue of imperial succession is fundamental to the nation’s identity and should not be addressed in the context of gender discrimination conventions.
The UN panel’s report stated that Japan’s current law contradicts the objectives of eliminating discrimination against women. Hayashi countered this by asserting that discussions regarding the Imperial House Law should be approached with consideration for national foundations rather than through the lens of international conventions.
This development highlights ongoing tensions between Japan’s traditional practices and modern gender equality discussions. As Japan navigates these complexities, it remains to be seen how this will affect both domestic and international perceptions of its imperial institution.
