New Media 'NoBorder News' Tackling Taboo Topics on Terrestrial Broadcasts Releases Latest Episodes

NoBorder Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuji Mizoguchi), which operates the new media 'NoBorder' that tackles terrestrial broadcast taboos, announces the release of NoBorder News #42 "[Exclusive] Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda Sounds Alarm - The Future of Imperial House Law Reform and the 'Princess Aiko as Emperor' Debate" and #43 "[Heated Debate] Can the Imperial Lineage Be Preserved? Imperial House Law Reform: 'Tradition vs. Reform' / Yoshihiko Noda x Yuji Mizoguchi 'Leadership Theory'", released over two weeks on June 22 and 29, 2026.

On June 30, the government decided on a draft amendment to the Imperial House Law aimed at securing the number of imperial family members. This draft, which includes a system allowing female members of the Imperial family to retain their status after marriage and an exceptional measure to adopt male descendants of former princely families as imperial family members, marks a significant milestone in the discussion surrounding the future of the Imperial family and stable succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

In the two weeks leading up to this cabinet decision, NoBorder News featured "Imperial Succession." The first part addressed issues with the proposed system and points of contention regarding female emperors and matrilineal imperial succession. The second part presented a multifaceted discussion, including perspectives from those who support the adoption of former princely family members and patrilineal succession.

#42: "[Exclusive] Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda Sounds Alarm - The Future of Imperial House Law Reform and the 'Princess Aiko as Emperor' Debate"

https://youtu.be/cMUH3XmhNTk

#43: "[Heated Debate] Can the Imperial Lineage Be Preserved? Imperial House Law Reform: 'Tradition vs. Reform' / Yoshihiko Noda x Yuji Mizoguchi 'Leadership Theory'"

https://youtu.be/JnLKugnW21A

Part 1, #42: Will the Revised Bill Lead to Stable Imperial Succession?

In the 42nd episode, we welcomed Mr. Katsuaki Takamori, an Imperial family researcher and Shinto scholar, as a guest to discuss the challenges of decreasing imperial family numbers and stable succession. The program outlined the institutional background and anticipated issues for both the proposal allowing female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage and the plan to adopt male descendants of former princely families. However, as the proposed revision does not include whether to permit female or matrilineal emperors, the primary point of discussion became how to connect securing the number of imperial family members with stable succession.

An interview was also conducted with Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, former Prime Minister and member of the House of Representatives. Mr. Noda expressed his view that priority should be given to considering the option of female imperial family members remaining in the Imperial family after marriage, and regarding the adoption of former princely family members, he stated that careful consideration is needed for the wishes of the individuals concerned and institutional design challenges.

From the perspective of considering options including female and matrilineal emperors, Mr. Takamori pointed out that the current framework does not sufficiently address the issue of stable imperial succession. He also indicated that regarding the adoption of former princely family members, many issues remain concerning the candidates, the receiving parties, the political neutrality of the Imperial family, and public understanding.

Following the program's release, Mr. Noda's remarks regarding the adoption of former princely family members were reported by Jiji Press, Sankei News, and others. As discussions on the Imperial House Law revision progress in the Diet, the points raised in the program also garnered attention.

Part 2, #43: How to Consider Patrilineal Succession and the Adoption of Former Princely Family Members

In the subsequent 43rd episode, we invited Mr. Tsuyoshi Takeda, an author from the former Imperial family's Takeda lineage, and Mr. Fumio Hirai, a political commentator and guest commentator for Fuji TV, to examine the draft amendment to the Imperial House Law from different perspectives than the previous week.

The program outlined the institutional design for adopting male descendants of former princely families as imperial family members, where the adopted individuals themselves would not be granted succession rights, but their descendants would be, and the direction of treating the adoption system, which is generally prohibited by the current Imperial House Law, as an exceptional measure.

Mr. Takeda explained that the current discussion is aimed at securing the number of imperial family members and maintaining future succession options. He expressed the view that the feasibility should not be judged solely by the existence of candidates before the system is established, but rather it should be considered as a long-term institutional matter.

Mr. Hirai positioned the revised bill as something that has been finalized after long-term negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, and suggested that the system allowing female imperial family members to retain their status after marriage leaves room for future institutional discussions regarding female emperors.

Meanwhile, in the interview with Mr. Noda introduced during the program, he emphasized the role of the symbolic emperor system and expressed the view that options including female emperors should be considered to maintain an Imperial family that stays close to the people in the future.

In response, Mr. Takeda expressed concern that the acceptance of female emperors could lead to a future transition to matrilineal emperors, arguing that maintaining patrilineal succession leads to the continuity of the Imperial lineage and national stability.

When considering the future of the Imperial family, should the adoption of former princely family members be seen as a system to prepare for the future, or should institutional reforms including female and matrilineal emperors be prioritized? The second part presented views and counterarguments from different standpoints to the issues raised the previous week, highlighting the points of conflict in the debate over imperial succession.

Yoshihiko Noda x Yuji Mizoguchi Special Dialogue

The 43rd episode also featured a portion of a special dialogue between former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and NoBorder CEO Yuji Mizoguchi.

In the dialogue, the two, who have led organizations in different fields of politics and business, discussed the responsibilities and loneliness involved in making decisions as leaders, and the perspectives necessary for moving an organization forward.

Cast Information

[Episode #42] Yoshihiko Noda (Former Prime Minister, Member of the House of Representatives) *Interview footage Katsuaki Takamori (Imperial Family Researcher, Shinto Scholar) Takashi Uesugi (NoBorder News Anchor) Ryoma Kobata (NoBorder Project Manager) Haruka Usui (Assistant) Kojima Miyu (Assistant)

[Episode #43] Yoshihiko Noda (Former Prime Minister, Member of the House of Representatives) *Interview footage

Tsuyoshi Takeda (Author)

Fumio Hirai (Political Commentator, Fuji TV Guest Commentator) Yuji Mizoguchi (NoBorder CEO) *Interview footage Takashi Uesugi (NoBorder News Anchor) Ryoma Kobata (NoBorder Project Manager) Haruka Usui (Assistant) Kojima Miyu (Assistant)

Viewer Participation Project (Survey)

NoBorder is soliciting themes and opinions from viewers through its official app and YouTube comment section.

Information on the NoBorder Official App

NoBorder has launched its official app. The official app offers the following behind-the-scenes and in-depth content:

● Off-shots of cast members ● Unreleased cuts and exclusive footage

● After-talks following video releases ● Special release of deleted past episodes

We aim to provide a space where you can experience the world of NoBorder more three-dimensionally, in conjunction with the program.

How to Access the App

The NoBorder official app can be accessed via the official LINE account. First, add the NoBorder official LINE account as a friend, and then proceed to the official app through the instructions within LINE.

▼ NoBorder Official LINE https://lin.ee/rUR8U3T?openExternalBrowser=1

What is the New Media 'NoBorder' Tackling Terrestrial Broadcast Taboos?

'NoBorder' is a new media platform that tackles terrestrial broadcast taboos, where serial entrepreneur Yuji Mizoguchi risks his life to approach the "outline of truth." It addresses themes that are difficult for existing media to handle by inviting commentators with diverse standpoints and expertise to engage in multifaceted discussions, rather than predetermined conclusions.

Fake OR Fact——

Draw that BORDER yourself.

◾️ Distribution Information

Program Name: NoBorder News

Episode: #42

Title: [Exclusive] Former Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda Sounds Alarm - The Future of Imperial House Law Reform and the 'Princess Aiko as Emperor' Debate

Release Date/Time: June 22, 2026, 19:00

Distribution Platform: YouTube

How to Watch: Free viewing

Viewing URL: https://youtu.be/cMUH3XmhNTk

Episode: #43

Title: [Heated Debate] Can the Imperial Lineage Be Preserved? Imperial House Law Reform: 'Tradition vs. Reform' / Yoshihiko Noda x Yuji Mizoguchi 'Leadership Theory'

Release Date/Time: June 29, 2026, 19:00

Distribution Platform: YouTube

How to Watch: Free viewing

Viewing URL: https://youtu.be/JnLKugnW21A

Homepage/Official SNS

Official X: https://x.com/NoBorder_info

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noborder_jp/

Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoBorder_jp

Official TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@noborder_jp?_t=ZS-8xr4GPnWz0Z&_r=1

【Company Overview: NoBorder Inc.】

Company Name: NoBorder Inc.

Representative Director: Yuji Mizoguchi

Business Activities: Planning, production, and distribution of journalistic media

Contact: info@no-border.jp