Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reiterated his belief Thursday that the public would support a woman succeeding to the Chrysanthemum throne, amid signs that the government may begin paving the way for this possibility.
"Reigning empresses existed in Japan in the past. I think the public will welcome (a reigning) empress in the present day. I don't think there will be many objections," Koizumi told reporters at his official residence.
The issue of a woman as monarch has drawn fresh attention as two major dailies -- the Mainichi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun -- reported Wednesday the government has conducted a feasibility study because no male heir has been born into the Imperial family in almost 40 years.
The media reports came on the third birthday of Princess Aiko -- so far the only child born to Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Crown Princess Masako.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Hosoda indicated Wednesday that the government could start studying the possibility of a female monarch if the public pushes for it, but denied that it has already considered the matter.
Having a woman on the throne would require amending the Imperial House Law, which stipulates that only male heirs can succeed to the throne.
However, there would be no need to amend the Constitution, because it says only that the throne "shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law."