Potential female monarchy sparks protests

TOKYO, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Some 40 Japanese lawmakers joined a Tokyo rally estimated a 1,200 to protest the government's plan to allow women to ascend to the throne, a report said.

Former Trade Minister Takeo Hiranuma told supporters that the move -- in response to the royal family producing no male heirs since 1965 -- could dilute the imperial line, the BBC reported.

The main hopes lie with 4-year-old Princess Aiko, the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and wife Masako.

"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," Hiranuma said.

Analysts said they believed the pressure to bear a male heir contributed to Masako's stress-related illnesses.

Should Naruhito die without a male heir, his brother Akishino would ascend to the Japanese throne. Akishino also has no male heirs.

While Japan had female monarchs between the 6th and 18th centuries, all reigned during emergencies and no offspring ascended to the throne.