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posted by cmn32480 on Friday May 19 2017, @01:33PM   Printer-friendly
from the subject-to-interpretation dept.

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has revealed to a Dutch newspaper that he has flown as a co-pilot for the airline KLM about twice per month for the last 21 years. His flying hobby will require retraining to fly Boeing 737s, as the airline is phasing out its Fokker 70s. The King says he was not recognized often, especially after 9/11 as passengers now have less contact with the cockpit.

Japan's Princess Mako will reportedly lose royal status due to marrying a commoner, as Japan's current imperial law requires. The move is "expected to reignite debate" over the nation's imperial succession law and is "raising fresh questions about the status of women in the imperial family". Emperor Akihito, who is 83, has recently hinted that he wants to step down, which would require a legislative change or a one-time exemption. [This bill is expected to be introduced on Friday.] Only males can currently become Emperor, and there are only four heirs left to the Chrysanthemum Throne. However, the restriction on female succession dates back to an 1889 Meiji government law, and was retained in the 1947 postwar Constitution. Japan has had six Empress regnants in the past, the most recent reigning from 1762 to 1771. The sons of female royal family members are also not currently in the line of succession, as only the male offspring of the male line can succeed the throne.

MonarchyNews is subjects.


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  • (Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday May 19 2017, @02:57PM (4 children)

    by kaszz (4211) on Friday May 19 2017, @02:57PM (#512203) Journal

    Naruhito and Fumihito are both eligible to be emperor, so no problem?
    Maybe a new law to permit abdication should instituted?

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  • (Score: 2) by tekk on Friday May 19 2017, @08:39PM (3 children)

    by tekk (5704) Subscriber Badge on Friday May 19 2017, @08:39PM (#512366)

    They're drafting the law, but the problem in Japan is longer term: Akihito's son will inherit the throne when he resigns. The problem is that Akihito has only one grandson, and the treaty that the US forced on Japan disqualified every royal house but the one that Akihito is part of from succession (presumably to cause a situation exactly like this later down the line.) If something happens to the son then unless there's a new son born, Japan's royal line, which according to them and their genealogy is an unbroken line extending from the Yamato clan in 500 BC, is gone in our lifetime.

    • (Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday May 19 2017, @09:21PM (2 children)

      by kaszz (4211) on Friday May 19 2017, @09:21PM (#512383) Journal

      There should be at least 3 persons that can replace the emperor?

      Naruhito (1960) has one daughter Aiko.
      Fumihito (1965) has two daughters Mako, Kako and one son Hisahito.

      Naruhito, Fumihito, Hisahito in that order. Or is that wrong? ie if Naruhito becomes emperor then the children of Fumihito cannot succeed as emperor?

      • (Score: 2) by tekk on Friday May 19 2017, @09:33PM (1 child)

        by tekk (5704) Subscriber Badge on Friday May 19 2017, @09:33PM (#512391)

        No, that's correct as I understand it. Like I said, the problem is a long term one: they're in a tight spot if something happens to Hisaito, including Hisaito not having a son. If Hisaito fails to produce an heir then there is no one to succeed.

        • (Score: 2) by kaszz on Friday May 19 2017, @11:28PM

          by kaszz (4211) on Friday May 19 2017, @11:28PM (#512435) Journal

          Naruhito and Fumihito will have to produce more children? 53 and 50 to rear a child is doable. The risk of defects increases however.

          But if they decide to permit female heirs that would improve a lot.

          (btw, those daughters look pretty ;) )