Japan Advances Adoption Plan to Expand Imperial Succession Pool

Japan's Diet backed a draft bill on June 10, 2026, permitting adoption of male descendants from imperial branches dissolved after 1945 to strengthen the succession line. The Imperial House Law restricts the throne to male offspring in the male lineage. Prince Hisahito is currently the sole male heir beyond Crown Prince Akishino. The proposal codifies a historical practice and signals rare bipartisan momentum after two decades of advisory deliberation without legislative action.