Japan changes imperial rules but still no woman emperor

Japan's parliament enacted changes to the imperial succession law on Friday, but maintained the bar on a woman becoming emperor even though opinion polls suggest this has wide public support.

The bill passed by the upper house allows the adoption of male distant relatives over 15 back into the imperial family, and to let women keep their royal status after marrying a commoner, but still only men can ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne.