The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has urged Japan to amend the Imperial Household Law, which currently prohibits women from ascending the throne. This recommendation sparked backlash from Japanese conservatives, who argue that imperial succession is a state matter rather than a human rights issue, prompting the government to cut CEDAW funding. Meanwhile, the imperial family faces a growing shortage of male heirs, with 90% of the public supporting the idea of a reigning empress. Despite this, Japan’s parliament is considering alternative solutions, such as allowing princesses to remain in the family after marriage or adopting male descendants from former aristocratic branches rather than following the UN recommendations and public preference.