TOKYO, Feb 27, (V7N) – Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament Friday that she opposes altering the imperial family’s male succession rules.  

Takaichi said she respected the conclusion of a panel of experts who found it “appropriate to limit eligibility to those who are male-line male descendants belonging to the imperial lineage.” She added, “The government, and I, myself as well, respect this report.”  

The premier had previously described revising the imperial family’s rules as “an urgent matter.” Tradition dictates only men can carry on the imperial line, which legend says stretches back 2,600 years, though opinion polls have shown strong public support for allowing a woman to ascend the throne.  

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