Emperor Naruhito, who took over the imperial throne in May from his father, now Emperor Emeritus Akihito, formally proclaimed his enthronement at a ceremony last Tuesday with a pledge that he will "act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people of Japan." Just like his father did when he took the throne for the first time under the postwar Constitution 30 years ago, Emperor Naruhito is expected to continue exploring his role as "the symbol of the state."

Today, however, the imperial family under the postwar system faces a host of challenges for its future, including questions about stable succession under the current male-only rules and sustainability of the family's functions amid its shrinking membership. Since Emperor Akihito indicated in 2016 his wish to abdicate — which was not provided for under the law on imperial succession — citing his advancing age, these questions have been highlighted but never officially addressed, as the government concentrated on enacting special one-off legislation paving the way for his abdication, and on the subsequent enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.

The festive public atmosphere celebrating the new emperor and the new era of Reiwa under his reign also appears to have temporarily put aside those questions. Now that the enthronement ceremony is behind us, however, there is no reason to keep putting off public discussions on the issues that concern the very future of the imperial family.