A Jiji Press opinion survey has found that 39.5% of respondents support the government¡¯s proposal to allow sons of paternal-line male descendants from former imperial family branches to ascend the throne.

Meanwhile, 26.9% voiced opposition to the proposal, while 33.6% said neither or that they are undecided.

A government-sponsored bill aimed at helping increase the number of imperial family members, which is now being debated by parliament, stipulates that paternal-line male descendants from former imperial family branches can be adopted back into the family and that male children of such adoptees will have the right of succession to the throne.

The opinion poll also showed that 34.0% support granting imperial family status to the husbands and children of female imperial family members who will remain in the family after marriage. The share of respondents opposing the idea came to 27.5% while 38.5% said neither or that they are undecided.

The bill to amend the Imperial House Law does not grant imperial family status to such husbands and children.

Among supporters of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, the proportions of respondents who are in favor of the ideas to allow male offspring of adoptees to ascend the throne and to give imperial family status to the husbands and children of female members both topped the shares of those who are not.

The results were the opposite among supporters of the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai), the coalition partner of the LDP.

Among supporters of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Japanese Communist Party, both of which are critical of the legislation, many said they oppose allowing sons of adopted descendants to inherit the throne while showing support for giving imperial status to the husbands and children of female imperial family members.

The interview-based survey, conducted from Friday through Monday, covered 2,000 people age 18 or over across the country. Valid responses came from 57.1%.