Abstract: The issue of female succession to the Japanese throne has both deep historical roots and significant legal and social obstacles. While a total of eight female emperors ascended the throne under special historical conditions in ancient Japan, the promulgation of The Imperial Household Law during the Meiji era and its subsequent revisions after World War II explicitly excluded female succession. The key to realizing female succession lies in amending The Imperial Household Law. However, since the Koizumi administration, despite multiple discussions on the matter, conservative traditions and political stability concerns have caused the reform process to stall. Furthermore, the publics support for a female emperor remains consistently high, and the continued advocacy for gender equality by the international community, particularly the United Nations, further highlights the significance of this issue. The question of female emperors is not only about legal reform but also but also reflects the profound contradictions and challenges in Japanese society between gender equality and the inheritance of traditional culture.

Key words: female emperors