FOCUS: Law change without public support may endanger Japan imperial system

TOKYO - A historic legal revision intended to sustain the world's oldest hereditary monarchy may instead jeopardize its long-term survival by failing to win broad public support, a prerequisite for the imperial system, scholars say.

The revised Imperial House Law, enacted by parliament on Friday, was drafted based on what is called the "consensus" of the legislature built up over months of cross-party discussions. But it has drawn criticism for going beyond the scope of the agreement to touch on the contentious issue of succession to the throne.