The government will present a bill amending the Imperial House Law to the Diet in early March that would authorize females and their descendants to ascend the throne, according to sources.
The move to revise the line of royal succession is in response to a Nov. 24 proposal by an advisory panel.
Crown Prince Naruhito, 45, Emperor Akihito's first son, remains heir to the throne. But the revised law would put 4-year-old Princess Aiko, the Crown Prince's only child, second in line. Next would come Prince Akishino, the Crown Prince's 40-year-old brother, who is currently second.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.