The ruling Liberal Democratic Party held an informal gathering on April 15 to discuss ways to stabilize Japan’s imperial reign and decided to summarize the party’s opinions within this month. 

S/ Aso Taro, LDP Vice President: As other parties have presented their opinions, it is necessary for the LDP to show a concrete direction as soon as possible. 

The meeting confirmed two ideas, which were presented in a report of an experts’ panel as appropriate. One plan proposes that female members of the Imperial Family remain royalty even after marriage while the other proposes that members of the Imperial Family adopt male heirs from former imperial family branches. 

Participants reached an understanding on the proposal to legally make male descendants of former imperial family branches as a supplementary measure when the number of imperial family members cannot be secured in these proposals. 

After the meeting, LDP Deputy Secretary-General Kihara Minoru told reporters that he wants to speed up discussions so that the party’s opinions will be summarized by the end of April.