Is there any aristocracy in Japan other than the emperor?

Many of the old family names in Japan were granted to the earliest samurai as a sort of recognition that the head of that (new) family was descended from the royal line. read more

The Emperor of Japan isn't"chosen", it's a hereditary office. The succession law of Japan's monarchy is apparently that the throne can't be inherited by or through women. This means that only a male son of a male heir may inherit the throne. read more

The Emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family and the traditional head of state of Japan. Under the 1947 constitution, he is defined as"the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people." Historically, he was also the highest authority of the Shinto religion. read more