Prime Minister Takaichi Spoke to the Press Regarding the Passage of the Bill to Amend the Imperial House Law and Other Matters

I am Sugiyama, with The Asahi Shimbun. Thank you for taking my question. The amendment to the Imperial House Law aimed at securing the number of members of the Imperial Family was enacted today.

Opposition parties criticized a number of points, including that it explicitly states that a male child born to an adopted member of the Imperial Family will be eligible to succeed to the throne, a point which was not part of the Diet's consensus, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and others opposed the bill. In light of that, I would like to know your view on the passage of this amendment to the Imperial House Law.

Also, please explain the Government's policy on how it will advance discussions on stable imperial succession in the future, including whether to allow female emperors or female-lineage emperors.

Today, the Bill Partially Amending the Imperial House Law and Other Acts was enacted.

In 2021, a report by the Government's Advisory Panel was finalized regarding the issues set out in the supplementary resolution to the Special Measures Law on Abdication passed in June 2017. After this was reported to the Diet, under the leadership of the Speakers and Vice-speakers of both Houses, each political party and parliamentary group participated in a series of discussions from a wide range of viewpoints. After a total of ten plenary meetings, a compilation by the speakers and vice-speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of the contents of the discussions was produced.

That compilation was presented to the Government on June 10. The Government then drafted a bill that faithfully reflected the contents and submitted the bill to the Diet. Today, that bill was enacted after the completion of deliberations within the Diet.

As for the matter of revising the Imperial House Law, in view of the decreasing number of members of the Imperial Family, since first taking office as prime minister, I have recognized this as an urgent matter that must be addressed without delay. I find it deeply moving that we reached a conclusion after many years of consideration and achieved the revision.

I particularly want to extend my appreciation and my respect to the Speakers and Vice-speakers of both Houses and to all the legislators who participated in the plenary meetings for the tremendous efforts they have made. Moreover, I want to express my appreciation for the broad-based support received from the various political parties and parliamentary groups, as well as for the rapid enactment of this bill through approval by an overwhelming majority. The Government will make all possible preparations in the lead-up to the amended law entering into force three months after it is promulgated.With regard to your question about future discussions on stable imperial succession, the Government will respond in a manner that gives due respect to the will of the legislature.

Madame Prime Minister, I would like to ask one more question.

I am Tsurudome with Kyodo News. I would like to ask you about the current Diet session. It has just been decided in the House of Representatives plenary session to extend the current session to (July) 25th.

Previously, you stated that your aim was to have all Government-sponsored bills enacted before the end of the current Diet session. In consideration of that, I would like to hear your thoughts regarding the Diet session becoming extended, as well as how the Government intends to manage Diet affairs going forward.

Diet operations, including extensions of the legislative session, are entirely at the discretion of the Diet itself. I sincerely hope that all bills before the Diet -- or rather, all Government-sponsored bills -- will be duly enacted during the extended session. We for our part will do our utmost to facilitate that.

Thank you all very much.