Japan Opens Door to Adopting Imperial Heirs From Dissolved Branches

Japan's parliament backed a bill on June 10, 2026, allowing adoption of male descendants from imperial family branches ended after 1945. The move strengthens the succession line—currently thin, with only Prince Hisahito beyond Crown Prince Akishino as a male heir. The proposal formalizes an old practice and breaks two decades of stalled debate, showing rare bipartisan agreement on a constitutional question.