Ruling party to consider allowing women on Japanese throne

Japan's Prime Minister has indicated he would support a law change to allow a woman to reign.

Junichiro Koizumi's ruling party has also announced it is to discuss the move.

The current law stipulates only men from the imperial lineage are allowed to become emperor. The imperial law took effect on May 3, 1947.

A panel headed by Koizumi will meet for the first time next week to discuss the current laws regarding succession and other issues.

Koizumi said he did not oppose such a change, but added further discussion was needed. His chief spokesman, Yasuo Fukuda, also said he was open to the idea.

News of the party meeting comes less than one month after palace officials announced Crown Princess Masako, wife of the current imperial heir, might be pregnant.

If she gives birth to a boy, he would the first potential heir born in more than three decades. If it's a girl, she would not be in the succession line and would have to move out of the palace as soon as she weds.