Japan's parliament has amended the Imperial Household Law for the first time in over 75 years, aiming to address the dwindling size of the imperial family. The changes relax the rules of succession, but the ban on women ascending to the throne remains in place, according to the Associated Press and BBC News.

One of the amendments allows the imperial family to adopt unmarried distant male relatives aged 15 and over, but only through the paternal line. This provision affects 11 collateral imperial branches that were removed from the family in 1947, when 51 of their representatives renounced their royal status to ease the monarchy's financial situation after World War II.

The second amendment allows women from the imperial family to retain their status after marrying commoners—previously, this entailed renouncing their title and leaving the family. This measure is intended to increase the number of family members who can perform official duties.

The Japanese imperial dynasty is considered the oldest ruling dynasty in the world, with a history spanning over 2,600 years. The current emperor is 66-year-old Naruhito, who has no male heirs. Under current rules, his younger brother, 60-year-old Fumihito, is first in line to the throne, followed by Fumihito's son, 19-year-old Prince Hisahito. The third and final in line to the throne is the emperor's 90-year-old uncle.

As AP notes, the amendments have sparked discontent among some Japanese, who see them as an attempt to disqualify Princess Aiko, Naruhito's only daughter, from the throne and entrench discrimination against women within the patriarchal system. According to the agency, the 24-year-old princess enjoys widespread popularity in the country, and many Japanese would like to see her succeed her father.