Japan Discusses Rules on the Imperial Family and Male Succession
Listen to the story
Japan has a special law about its royal family. It is called the Imperial House Law. This law says only men can become emperor. Many people ask why this rule still exists.
Japan's constitution says men and women are equal. This is in Article 14. But this rule does not apply to the royal family. Some people think this is strange.
A TV program talked about this problem. The program asked if a woman can become emperor one day. It also asked how the law may change in the future.
The program tried to explain things that many Japanese people do not know. It talked about old traditions and new ideas about equal rights.
People still do not agree on this topic. Some want to keep the old rule. Others want change. The government must decide what to do next.
Vocabulary15 words
- law
- a rule made by the government
- royal family
- the family of a king, queen, or emperor
- emperor
- the male ruler of Japan's royal family
- constitution
- the main set of rules for a country
- traditions
- old customs people keep doing
- equal
- the same; having the same rights
- article
- a numbered part of a law
- government
- the group that runs a country
- future
- the time that has not happened yet
- male
- a man, not a woman
- explain
- to make something clear
- change
- to make something different
- problem
- something difficult to solve
- topic
- a subject people talk about
- decide
- to choose something
Quiz
Answer key
1. Only men can become emperor 2. Men and women are equal 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Japan has a special _____ about its royal family.
It is called the Imperial House _____.
This law says only _____ can become emperor.
Japan's _____ says men and women are equal.
This is in Article _____.
But this rule does not apply to the _____ family.
A TV program talked about this _____.
The program asked if a _____ can become emperor one day.
The program tried to _____ things that many Japanese people do not know.
The government must _____ what to do next.