December 31, 2003
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Japan to allow women to inherit the throne
Japan's 1889 imperial household law stipulated that only men can ascend to the Emperor's Chrysanthemum Throne. But all that is about to change. And the revolutionary forces at work aren't social -- they're genetic.
Simply put, no boys have been born into the Imperial family since 1965, and the now 2-year-old Princess Aiko is the 9th baby girl in a row born into the family. If she becomes Empress, she'll be only the 9th female head of the 125-generation, 2,600 year-old monarchy (the world's oldest).
But not everyone is pleased. Conservatives are arguing that Japan should give Crown Prince Akihito and his 40-year-old wife Princess Masako more time to produce a male heir.
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