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Japan Lawmakers Back Plan to Ease Imperial Succession Crisis

Japans Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Island Nations Ocean Conference in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Jiji / AFP)
Japans Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Island Nations Ocean Conference in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Jiji / AFP)
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Japan Lawmakers Back Plan to Ease Imperial Succession Crisis

Japans Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Island Nations Ocean Conference in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Jiji / AFP)
Japans Emperor Naruhito delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the World Island Nations Ocean Conference in Tokyo on June 3, 2026. (Photo by Jiji / AFP)

Japan's legislature endorsed on Wednesday a proposed framework aimed at easing a looming imperial succession crisis, with just one young heir to the throne currently remaining.

The imperial household operates under strict rules that allow only male offsprings from the male side of the family to ascend to the ancient Chrysanthemum Throne.

That means that the household's future currently hinges on 19-year-old Prince Hisahito, Emperor Naruhito's nephew and the only young man in the family.

Other family members are either women -- who are not allowed to inherit the throne -- or older men, the youngest among them 60-year-old Crown Prince Akishino, who is Naruhito's brother and Hisahito's father.

In a bid to expand the thinning line of succession, lawmakers endorsed in principle amending the Imperial Household Law, presenting their initiative to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The proposals would allow women keep their royal status even after marrying someone outside the family, and let the imperial family adopt male distant relatives.

"Given all the differing opinions, we believe we've managed to produce the best possible result," lower house speaker Eisuke Mori told a news conference before presenting the legislature's view to Takaichi.

Once her government drafts the amendments, the bill will return to the legislature, with Mori expressing his wish to pass it before the current parliament session ends on July 17, AFP reported.

Under the proposal, adopted men would not be heirs but their sons could be placed in line to succeed the throne, Mori said this week.

The imperial family now has 16 members in total, including five men -- the 66-year-old emperor and his brother, Prince Hisahito, retired emperor Akihito, who is 92, and his 90-year-old brother.

Emperor Naruhito has a daughter, Princess Aiko. The existing male-succession rule means that she would have to leave the family once she marries a commoner.

The lawmakers' proposal did not address the possibility of a woman emperor, an idea that has wide public support.

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Varieties

Fast-Moving Wildfire Near Greece’s Thessaloniki Sparks Evacuations as Smoke Blankets Suburbs

Α building burns during a wildfire in Oreokastro, near Thessaloniki, Greece, 05 July 2026. (EPA)
Α building burns during a wildfire in Oreokastro, near Thessaloniki, Greece, 05 July 2026. (EPA)
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Fast-Moving Wildfire Near Greece’s Thessaloniki Sparks Evacuations as Smoke Blankets Suburbs

Α building burns during a wildfire in Oreokastro, near Thessaloniki, Greece, 05 July 2026. (EPA)
Α building burns during a wildfire in Oreokastro, near Thessaloniki, Greece, 05 July 2026. (EPA)

A fast-moving wildfire broke out Saturday evening near the suburbs of Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, the country's fire service said, and residents of three small suburbs north of the city were told to evacuate.

The fire ignited in a ravine in a mountainous area around 8:30 p.m. and spread quickly to the plains, burning mostly through brush, the Hellenic Fire Service said. While residences were spared, several businesses were damaged, the service said.

Residents of the small settlements of Anthoupoli, Filothei and Galini were notified by text to evacuate.

Also evacuated was a facility housing 157 people with special needs. About 120 of those who could walk were being sheltered in a gym, while the rest were housed in a psychiatric hospital, local authorities said.

Authorities announced overnight that a 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of starting the fire. He “appeared not to be sober,” the Hellenic Fire Service said.

Residents of Thessaloniki could see the flames and even heard explosions as flammable materials inside businesses burned. A heavy cloud of smoke blanketed several suburbs and western areas of the city.

About 115 firefighters along with 38 fire engines and an unknown number of volunteers battled the blaze, the fire service said. Firefighting planes briefly engaged but could not operate after dark.

There was no indication that the fire was heading toward the city, but firefighters remain on alert and more were expected to join the fight. Strong winds made it difficult to contain the fire.

Greece, with its long, hot, dry and often windy summers, is no stranger to wildfires. But it managed to get through June without serious damage. The first major wildfire hit Wednesday in central Greece, killing a man and his 12-year-old son, and prompting evacuations.

Additional blazes were burning around Thessaloniki Saturday, including in the Halkidiki Peninsula, a favored vacation spot, and the city of Kilkis to the north.

Greece has been spared, so far, the extreme heat that engulfed much of the rest of Europe.

Varieties

New Mural Recreates Famous Japanese Wave Painting

The artist said he wanted to reinterpret the world-famous artwork through a distinctly Manx setting (The artist's Facebook page)
The artist said he wanted to reinterpret the world-famous artwork through a distinctly Manx setting (The artist's Facebook page)
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New Mural Recreates Famous Japanese Wave Painting

The artist said he wanted to reinterpret the world-famous artwork through a distinctly Manx setting (The artist's Facebook page)
The artist said he wanted to reinterpret the world-famous artwork through a distinctly Manx setting (The artist's Facebook page)

Manx artist David Britton has unveiled what is believed to be the Isle of Man's largest mural - inspired by a famous Japanese artwork, the BBC reported.

The mural, entitled Shining by The Sea, has been painted on the rear of Ramsey's bowling alley near St Paul's Square.

Inspired by the instantly-recognizable Great Wave off Kanagawa, it was commissioned by Ramsey Town Commissioners as part of efforts to brighten up the town and support local artists.

The mural re-imagines Katsushika Hokusai's work by placing its familiar wave image in Ramsey Bay with a Viking longboat riding the swell, as the sun rises behind familiar Manx landmarks.

For Britton, the project marked the largest mural he has undertaken, the BBC reported.

He said he wanted to take the dramatic Japanese work and create "a more hopeful scene", using brighter colors and depicting the Viking boat riding above the waves rather than being overwhelmed by them.

 

Another view of the artwork at the rear of the town's bowling alley (The artist's Facebook page)

Britton said working on the mural had given him the opportunity to meet residents and visitors who regularly stopped to watch its progress and discuss the artwork.

He also thanked his sister, Rachael Britton, along with fellow artists Andrew Kaighen and Loki Stonehouse for helping complete the project.

Funding for the mural came from the Department for Enterprise's Local Economy Fund.

The Commissioners said the mural formed part of a wider program of public art across Ramsey and hoped it would add to the town's appeal.

Varieties

Prince Harry to Visit London without Wife, Children

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Rushcutters Bay following a sail on Sydney Harbour with veterans from the Invictus Australia community, in Sydney, Australia, April 17, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Rushcutters Bay following a sail on Sydney Harbour with veterans from the Invictus Australia community, in Sydney, Australia, April 17, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
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Prince Harry to Visit London without Wife, Children

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Rushcutters Bay following a sail on Sydney Harbour with veterans from the Invictus Australia community, in Sydney, Australia, April 17, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive at Rushcutters Bay following a sail on Sydney Harbour with veterans from the Invictus Australia community, in Sydney, Australia, April 17, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

Prince Harry will stay in London without his wife Meghan and their two children while visiting the UK in July, a source close to him told AFP Saturday.

The prince had previously been expected to make his first family trip back to the UK in four years, but the source close to the Duke of Sussex said his wife, son Archie and daughter Lilibet would not accompany him on the London part of the trip, with the rest of the trip still under consideration.

According to Reuters, Harry has repeatedly expressed a desire to bring his children to Britain, which they have not visited ⁠for several years, but has said concerns about security ‌have complicated those plans.

"The Duke continues ‌to explore every available option to enable the ​visit to proceed safely and ‌to give his children the opportunity to enjoy the UK," his spokesperson ‌said earlier this week.

The prince has long argued that security concerns put his family at risk when visiting Britain.

Last year he lost a legal challenge against a government decision to remove the automatic police protection afforded to him after ‌he stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to the United States with Meghan.

The planned ⁠visit had raised ⁠the prospect of a rare meeting between Archie and Lilibet and their grandfather, King Charles, who has seen little of the children in recent years as relations between Harry and the royal family remain strained.

Harry said in a BBC interview last year that he wanted a reconciliation with his family after years of public disputes, including criticism of royal life in television interviews and in his memoir, "Spare".

His trip next week also coincides with a closely watched court ruling in his privacy claim against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail.