The Japanese imperial family tree traces its lineage through an unbroken line of emperors from the legendary Emperor Jimmu (traditionally dated to 660 BCE) to the current emperor, Naruhito, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019. This makes it the oldest continuing hereditary monarchy in the world, though its early centuries blend history with mythology.
Mythological Origins and the Kojiki
The earliest portion of the family tree is recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) and the Nihon Shoki (720 CE), Japan’s oldest chronicles. According to these texts, the imperial line descends from the sun goddess Amaterasu, who sent her grandson Ninigi to earth to rule. Ninigi’s great-grandson, Emperor Jimmu, is counted as the first human emperor. Historians treat the first 14 emperors as legendary because there is no verifiable contemporary evidence for them; the chronicles themselves give impossibly long reigns. The first emperor whose existence is widely accepted by historians is Emperor Sujin (traditionally 10th emperor), and the first with solid archaeological and textual corroboration is Emperor Ōjin (traditionally 15th), who likely ruled in the late 4th or early 5th century CE. The mythological portion of the tree is still officially recognized in the imperial household’s rituals, which include ceremonies tied to Amaterasu at the Ise Grand Shrine.
How the Succession Works
Succession is governed by the Imperial Household Law of 1947, which restricts the throne to male heirs who are descended from emperors through the male line. This means that a princess who marries a commoner loses her imperial status, and her children are not in the line of succession. The current line of succession is: Crown Prince Akishino (the emperor’s younger brother), then Prince Hisahito (Akishino’s son). After Hisahito, the line would technically end, because there are no other male heirs. This has sparked ongoing debate about whether to allow female succession or matrilineal succession, but no legal change has been made as of 2024. Historically, succession was not always so rigid: before the Meiji era, emperors often had multiple consorts, and succession could pass through collateral branches or even to a regent’s family, as seen in the Kamakura and Muromachi periods when shoguns effectively controlled who became emperor.
Key Figures in the Modern Tree
The modern tree begins with Emperor Meiji (r. 1867–1912), who was the first emperor of the unified modern state. His son, Emperor Taishō (r. 1912–1926), had four sons, but only one survived to adulthood: Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito, r. 1926–1989). Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun had two sons: the current Emperor Emeritus Akihito (b. 1933) and Prince Hitachi (b. 1935). Akihito married Michiko Shōda, a commoner, in 1959, breaking centuries of tradition. Their children are Emperor Naruhito (b. 1960), Crown Prince Akishino (b. 1965), and Princess Sayako (b. 1969, now commoner Kuroda). Emperor Naruhito married Masako Owada in 1993; they have one daughter, Princess Aiko (b. 2001). Crown Prince Akishino married Kiko Kawashima in 1990; they have three children: Princess Mako (b. 1991, now commoner Komuro), Princess Kako (b. 1994), and Prince Hisahito (b. 2006).
The Problem of a Shrinking Family
The most pressing issue facing the imperial family is its declining size. As of 2024, there are only 17 members of the imperial family, and only three are in the line of succession (the emperor’s brother and nephew, plus the emperor himself). The 1947 law also removed 11 collateral branches of the family (the shinnōke and ōke houses) from imperial status, which had previously provided spare heirs. This has led to a situation where, if Prince Hisahito were to have no male children, the dynasty would face extinction. The government has considered various solutions, including allowing princesses to retain their status after marriage (so-called “female imperial family members”) or allowing a female emperor. Public opinion polls consistently show majority support for allowing female succession, but conservative factions within the ruling party resist any change that would break the male-line tradition. The issue is complicated by the fact that any change requires amending the Imperial Household Law, which is a politically sensitive matter.
Historical Branches and the Shogun Era
For most of Japanese history, the imperial family was not a single nuclear unit. Emperors had multiple consorts, and the family included many princes who were given titles and lands. During the Heian period (794–1185), emperors often abdicated early to rule as “cloistered emperors” (insei), and their sons frequently became the next emperors. In the Kamakura period (1185–1333), the shogunate controlled succession and even forced the imperial line to split into two rival branches, the Southern and Northern Courts, which lasted from 1336 to 1392. The Southern Court is considered the legitimate line by modern historians, but the Northern Court’s descendants eventually became the sole emperors. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the imperial family was reorganized on the model of European royal houses, with a single empress and a small number of princes. This was a major break from the past, but it was presented as a return to ancient tradition.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that the Japanese imperial family is “pure” or “unmixed” in its bloodline. In reality, emperors frequently married women from powerful noble families, and some empresses were of Korean or Chinese descent. For example, Empress Jingū, who is treated as a legendary figure, is said to have been the daughter of a Korean king, and Emperor Ōjin is traditionally described as her son. Another misconception is that the emperor is considered a god. After World War II, Emperor Shōwa renounced any claim to divinity in the 1946 Humanity Declaration, and the current constitution defines the emperor as a symbol of the state. However, some Shinto rituals still treat the emperor as a living descendant of Amaterasu, which is a matter of religious practice rather than legal status. A third misconception is that the family tree is fully documented and verified. In fact, for the early emperors, the chronicles are the only source, and many historians doubt their historicity. The tree is best understood as a blend of myth, legend, and history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is next in line to the Japanese throne?
The next in line is Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito. After him, the next is his son, Prince Hisahito. There are no other heirs after Hisahito, which is why the succession is a major concern.
Why can’t Princess Aiko become empress?
Princess Aiko is the only child of Emperor Naruhito, but the Imperial Household Law of 1947 restricts succession to males who are descended from emperors through the male line. Aiko is female, so she is excluded. Changing the law would require a government decision and public support, which has not yet been achieved.
How far back does the imperial family tree go?
The official tree goes back to Emperor Jimmu, who is said to have reigned starting in 660 BCE. However, historians consider the first 14 emperors legendary. The first historically verifiable emperor is usually considered to be Emperor Ōjin, who likely reigned in the 4th or 5th century CE.
Are there any other branches of the imperial family?
Before 1947, there were several collateral branches, such as the Fushimi, Kan’in, and Arisugawa houses. The 1947 law removed these branches from imperial status, making them commoners. Today, only the direct descendants of Emperor Taishō remain in the imperial family.
What happens if the imperial family dies out?
If the current male line were to end, there is no legal mechanism for choosing a new emperor. The government would have to amend the Imperial Household Law to allow female succession or to reinstate a former branch. This is a politically sensitive issue that remains unresolved.
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