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Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

People visit a square facing the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. Japan enacted the revised Imperial House Law the same day, permitting the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and allowing female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara (front, L) bows after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stands up after the House of Councillors passed a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan revises Imperial House Law

Japan's House of Councillors passes a bill to revise the Imperial House Law during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 17, 2026. The amendment to the 1947 law permits the imperial family to adopt males aged 15 or older who are descended from emperors through the male line in 11 former branch families and also allows female members to retain their imperial status even after marrying commoners.

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Japan imperial family at villa in Tochigi Pref.

(From L) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko, take a stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on July 15, 2026.

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Japan imperial family at villa in Tochigi Pref.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako (L) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, greet the press during their stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on July 15, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family at villa in Tochigi Pref.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako (L) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, greet the press during their stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on July 15, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family at villa in Tochigi Pref.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako (L) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, greet the press during their stroll on the premises of an imperial villa in Nasu in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, on July 15, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Emperor meets Japan Academy Prize winners

One of the recipients of the Japan Academy Prize gives a presentation about her research to Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front row, foreground), Empress Masako and other members of the imperial family at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on June 13, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japan's House of Representatives passes a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (R) bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi applauds after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Lower house passes bill for imperial law revision

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara bows after the House of Representatives passed a bill for a law revision to address the dwindling number of imperial family members during a plenary session in Tokyo on July 10, 2026.

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Japan Empress Masako at Red Cross event

Japanese Empress Masako (L) attends a Japanese Red Cross Society event in Tokyo on May 12, 2026, along with other members of the imperial family. (Pool photo)

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Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their only daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at the Imperial Stock Farm in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, for a weeklong stay. (Pool photo)

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Japanese imperial family at Tochigi farm

Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their only daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at the Imperial Stock Farm in Tochigi Prefecture, eastern Japan, on May 1, 2026, for a weeklong stay. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family at veterinary congress

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (front, L), Empress Masako (front, R) and their daughter Princess Aiko (front, C) attend the World Veterinary Association Congress at Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on April 21, 2026.

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Japan imperial family at veterinary congress

(From L) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the venue of the World Veterinary Association Congress in Tokyo on April 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family at veterinary congress

Japan's Emperor Naruhito addresses the opening ceremony of the World Veterinary Association Congress at Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on April 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family at veterinary congress

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attend the opening ceremony of the World Veterinary Association Congress at Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on April 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

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Japanese imperial garden party

A spring imperial garden party is held at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026, with Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members in attendance.

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Japanese imperial garden party

A spring imperial garden party is held at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026, with Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other imperial family members in attendance. (Pool photo)

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Japanese imperial garden party

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (front, C), Empress Masako (front, R) and other imperial family members attend a spring imperial garden party at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens in Tokyo on April 17, 2026.

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Japan: Imperial Family Visits Fukushima on 15th Earthquake Anniversary

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter, Princess Aiko visited Fukushima Prefecture on April 6 and 7, marking the 15th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. It was Princess Aiko's first visit to the prefecture. As the motorcade made its way to Fukushima Station at the conclusion of the visit, the imperial family was seen waving to crowds gathered along the route.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko talk with a student at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, after observing a class on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from L, background), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(From L, background) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(From L, front) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko observe a class at an educational institution in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting the prefecture in northeastern Japan to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(Facing camera, from R) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the J-Village facility in Fukushima Prefecture on April 6, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko are greeted upon their arrival at the Linkru Okuma communication facility in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the Linkru Okuma communication facility in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the Linkru Okuma communication facility in Okuma, Fukushima Prefecture on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. (Pool photo)

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visit the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Seen in the front is a police car wrecked in the tsunami.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visit the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Seen in the front is a police car wrecked in the tsunami.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visit the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Seen in the front is a police car wrecked in the tsunami.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visit the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko visit the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe the recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

Japan's Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko arrive at the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

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Japan imperial family's trip to Fukushima

(From R) Japan's Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and their daughter Princess Aiko wave to well-wishers after arriving at the Historical Archive Museum of Tomioka in Tomioka, Fukushima Prefecture, on April 7, 2026. The imperial family is visiting Fukushima Prefecture to observe recovery efforts after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the region in March 2011, triggering a nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

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World Baseball Classic: Imperial family

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako (3rd from R) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo to watch a World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Australia on March 8, 2026.

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World Baseball Classic: Imperial family

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (far L), Empress Masako (2nd from L) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo to watch a World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Australia on March 8, 2026.

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World Baseball Classic: Imperial family

Japanese Emperor Naruhito (2nd from R), Empress Masako (2nd from L) and their daughter, Princess Aiko, arrive at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo to watch a World Baseball Classic Pool C game between Japan and Australia on March 8, 2026.