Japan sticks with tradition and excludes female imperial family members from Crown Prince Naruhito’s enthronement

Japan is sticking with tradition and not allowing female imperial family members to attend the enthronement ritual of Crown Prince Naruhito when he takes over from his father Emperor Akihito.

Naruhito will formally succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 next year, a day after Emperor Akihito steps down.

Announcing the plans for the imperial succession rites, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said only male imperial family members will attend the ritual, which sees the new emperor inherit traditional regalia.

The imperial family has traditionally only allowed male members to attend the ritual because only men can legally ascend the throne, government sources said. But critics have said excluding female members would be out of touch with modern times.

Meanwhile, the government is considering allowing female Cabinet ministers, currently numbering two, to take part in the ceremony because they are not related to the imperial family and would be attending as observers, sources said.