Japan's government decided at a cabinet meeting on Monday to promulgate the revised Imperial Household Law, with the changes set to take effect in October, after parliament approved the landmark legislation on July 17.
The promulgation follows a national telephone survey conducted July 18–19 showing that 60 percent of respondents believe the revision has failed to win public understanding, while only 24 percent said it had. Support for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's cabinet fell to 53 percent, down seven points from June, while disapproval rose to 35 percent. Among independent voters — who make up 45 percent of the electorate — disapproval of the cabinet stood at 42 percent compared with 36 percent approval.
The revision permits adoption of males aged 15 and older from former branch families, though women remain barred from succession despite 73 percent public support for a female emperor.