Princess Aiko, 24, is Japan's most popular royal family member, yet current law bars her from becoming empress. A recent poll found 72% of Japanese people favour allowing a woman to become emperor, signalling growing public support for changing succession rules that have excluded women for centuries.
Aiko draws massive crowds at official appearances and dominates magazine covers. Fans purchase her outfits from online stores. She is described as commanding "regal dignity, beauty and aura" among the imperial family.
The pressure to change succession law reflects a practical problem. Japan's imperial line faces a shortage of male heirs. The Guardian reports the nation is "running out of royals," creating urgency around the question of female succession.
Current law restricts the throne to male descendants. Aiko, as a woman, cannot inherit despite her public prominence and the apparent depth of public affection for her. The disconnect between her popularity and legal exclusion has prompted broader debate about Japan's succession rules.
The 72% poll figure represents a significant shift in public opinion on the monarchy's future. It suggests Japanese society may be ready to accept female rulers, even as the imperial household's formal structures remain unchanged.
No statement from the imperial palace or government response to the polling data appears in the supplied material. The article does not specify which poll measured the 72% figure or when it was conducted.