TOKYO -- Around two-thirds of people in Japan have an interest in the Imperial Family, while 70% favor allowing women to inherit the throne, the results of a Mainichi Shimbun national survey conducted on May 17 and 18 have shown.

The 66% who said they are interested in the Imperial Family is roughly double the 33% who said they were not. As the Imperial Family continues to taper off, the future of the system is an important issue. The Mainichi Shimbun continues to regularly conduct polls gauging public awareness, including whether people care about the Imperial Family.

To a question asking whether they were interested in the Imperial Family, replies varied by age group, with 50% of those 18 to 29 years old saying they weren't, slightly higher than the 49% who were. The proportion of those interested increased with age: 54% of those in their 30s, 57% among those in their 40s, 68% for those in their 50s, 76% in their 60s and reaching the highest level at 82% among those 70 and older.

Analyzing responses from all age groups, 19% reported being "very interested" compared to 47% who said "somewhat," 23% said "not very" and 10% replied "not at all." Those with a strong interest were limited to about 20%, leaving it unclear if people's thoughts on the Imperial Family extend to discussions over the system of Imperial succession.

The current Imperial Family includes six members in the Emperor's next generation, five of whom are women. Prince Hisahito, the now 18-year-old son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, is the only male of his generation with Imperial succession rights. Public debate continues over how to ensure a stable succession, but a conclusion has remained elusive for years due to a lack of momentum among the public for a swift resolution.

The survey also asked about approval of a female member of the Imperial Family ascending to the throne. Seventy percent supported the idea, while 6% opposed it, 23% answered "can't say either way" and 1% did not respond.

Although a simple comparison cannot be made due to the difference in survey methods, a similar poll in May 2024 found 81% support and 10% opposition for female succession. Over the past two decades, surveys by the Mainichi Shimbun have consistently shown support for a female emperor ranging from just under 70% to just under 90%. After then-Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's administration established an expert panel to consider the possibility, a February 2005 survey reported 87% approval, while in September 2006, just after Prince Hisahito's birth, approval stood at 72%.

The May 2024 survey took place as Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, began full-fledged official duties after starting work at the Japanese Red Cross Society. The most recent survey was conducted for the first time since Prince Hisahito held his coming-of-age press conference and entered university. These circumstances may have influenced opinion trends.

Approval for a female emperor by political party lines was: 72% among supporters of the ruling coalition's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), 78% among backers of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, 76% among Nippon Ishin (the Japan Innovation Party) followers, 67% for the Democratic Party for the People, 80% for Reiwa Shinsengumi and just under 80% for both LDP coalition partner Komeito and the Japanese Communist Party. Among unaffiliated respondents, support was 69%.

The online poll was carried out via the "d-Survey" method targeting smartphone users, based on a questionnaire service used by members of NTT Docomo Inc.'s "d Point Club" rewards program. Respondents were randomly selected from around 74 million users aged 18 and above across Japan, and valid responses were obtained from 2,045 people.

(Japanese original by Nao Yamada, Tokyo City News Department)