Poll: Majority of Japanese Support Female Monarch Despite Prince's Birth
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 Posted: 11:18 AM JST
(The Associated Press) - The majority of Japanese want a law change that would let a female reign as empress despite the recent birth of a new prince, a poll said Monday.
Fifty-six percent of respondents to a poll published Monday by public broadcaster NHK said they support reforming Japan's imperial law to allow women to inherit the Chrysanthemum throne.
Only 33 percent said there was no need to reform the law, which says only men in an all-male line to the emperor can assume the crown, according to NHK.
When those for reform were asked when the change should take place, 33 percent replied as soon as possible, while 67 percent said ample time was needed for debate, NHK said. Read article
Keywords: national_news
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