Aiko! Aiko!

Japan has convened a special panel to debate the possible acsension of Princess Aiko
(ie: a female) to the Chrysanthenum Throne.

Polls conducted on the issue show a 79 to 85% approval rating for a potential Empress. Princess Masako won't be producing a male heir due to a pronounced mental disorder. I 'm not sure which one, I think it's the one you get when the entire country wonders if you're late with your period. As it looks now, Crown Prince Naruhito and Maskao either adopt, start training Aiko (currently age 3) to assume her future duties, or drop the monarchy altogether.

That begs the question: does the overwhelming support for Aiko's ascension come from the general acceptance of a woman as monarch, or the fear that a royal tradition that survived 2600 years and a nuclear war will come to Masako's sudden, reclusive stop?

Either way, recent history proves when it comes to royalty, Japan could do a lot worse. At least Aiko has cleared the big hurdle to upward mobility in Japan, what with being born there and all.