Japan imperial rules tweaked but still no woman emperor

TOKYO: Japan's parliament enacted changes to the imperial succession law on Friday (Jul 17) but maintained the bar on a woman becoming emperor despite surveys suggesting wide public support for the idea.The future of the imperial household - mythically descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu - hinges currently on Prince Hisahito, the 19-year-old nephew of serving Emperor Naruhito, 66.If Hisahito - barely out of school and currently studying biology and insects and who is not married - has no son, then under the rules as they stand he will have no heir and the bloodline will end.The Bill, passed by a large majority by the Upper House on Friday, allows the adoption of male distant relatives over 15 back into the imperial family - as long as they are single. It also lets women keep th