Japan's parliament enacted amendments to the 1947 Imperial Household Law on July 17 that preserve male-line succession while permitting women to retain imperial status after marrying commoners and allowing adoption of single male relatives over age 15. The bill, which passed the Lower House on July 10 and the Upper House on July 17, maintains the exclusion of women from the throne. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who opposes female succession, led the government during passage.