Ascending the Japanese throne

Through Steve Silver I found a BBC report on a rally by Japanese politicians against allowing women on the imperial throne.

I *love* this comment by former trade minister Hiranuma:

"If Aiko becomes the reigning empress, and gets involved with a blue-eyed foreigner while studying abroad and marries him, their child may be the emperor," he told the rally at a Tokyo hall.

Pffff....

There are plenty of other ways to prevent this, if it really is so undesirable. I'm no expert on Japanese imperial succession but in the Netherlands the Royal family members who want to marry have to ask approval from the parliament, if they want to retain their rightful claim to the throne.

This sometimes leads to controversy - especially in the last few years - but it would prevent any unwanted people from claiming the throne.