Is Japan’s Princess Aiko destined for the same fate as Princess Mako? The only child of the emperor coming of age highlights the big problem with the imperial family – it’s shrinking

• Just turned 20, Princess Aiko is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, but as a woman, she will never ascend the Chrysanthemum throne
• And if she marries a commoner like Princess Mako, the law will force her to renounce her title and role in the family entirely – so is it time things changed?