TOKYO, Feb 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament on Friday that she opposes changing the imperial family's male succession rules.

Takaichi said she respected the conclusion of a panel of experts who had discussed the issue and found it "appropriate to limit eligibility to those who are male-line male descendants belonging to the imperial lineage".

"The government, and I, myself as well, respect this report."

The premier previously said that revising the imperial family's rules was "an urgent matter".

Even though tradition dictates only a man can carry on the imperial line -- which goes back 2,600 years according to legend -- opinion polls have shown high public support for a woman taking the throne.