Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, a cousin of Emperor Akihito, has criticized a government panel on Imperial succession for rushing to propose that females be allowed to ascend the throne, according to a magazine that goes on sale Tuesday.
The prince suggests in an article in the February edition of the monthly Bungei Shunju that the panel should explore other options, such as reinstating the royal status of Imperial branch families and said there is "no need to immediately" come to a decision.
The advisory panel to Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi proposed Nov. 24 allowing females and their descendants to ascend the throne, given that no male heir has been born into the royal family for the last 40 years, while ruling out having former Imperial branch family members return to royal status.
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