local
Japan is running out of royals. So why won’t it let women become emperor?
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 14, 2026
· 6 min read
By Hanako Montgomery, Junko Ogura, Chris Lau, CNN
Tokyo (CNN) — Japan may have its first ever female prime minister, but her government’s attempts to avoid a royal succession crisis are making the chances of a woman taking the imperial throne ever slimmer.
With just three eligible heirs to th...
Key takeaway With just three eligible heirs to the Chrysanthemum throne – and two of them 60 or over – the imperial family is facing a succession crisis.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The debate over Japan's royal succession crisis may seem distant from El Paso , but it resonates with local conversations about women's roles in leadership. As El Paso County continues to grow and diversify, the city's own leadership landscape is evolving, with more women taking on prominent positions in government and business. The question of whether Japan will allow women to take the throne sparks reflection on El Paso's own progress in promoting gender equality. While El Paso has made strides in electing women to public office, there is still room for improvement in achieving parity in leadership positions. The Japanese government's reluctance to reconsider its male-only succession rule serves as a reminder that even in modern societies, traditional patriarchal norms can persist, and that ongoing efforts are needed to break down barriers and promote equal opportunities for women in all spheres of life.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Hanako Montgomery, Junko Ogura, Chris Lau, CNN
Tokyo (CNN) — Japan may have its first ever female prime minister, but her government’s attempts to avoid a royal succession crisis are making the chances of a woman taking the imperial throne ever slimmer.
With just three eligible heirs to th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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