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The hereditary monarch of Japan is commonly referred to in English as the "emperor." In addition to his secular political role, the ''tennô'' is also considered the highest [[Shinto]] priest in Japan.
The hereditary monarch of Japan is commonly referred to in English as the "emperor." In addition to his secular political role, the ''tennô'' is also considered the highest [[Shinto]] priest in Japan.
Japan has historically had a number of reigning empresses as well, also called ''tennô'' and considered of equivalent position and status. The possibility for a woman to come to power as reigning empress was terminated, however, in the [[1889]] [[Meiji Constitution]], Article II of which stipulates that the succession to the throne is to follow the male line.<ref>Takashi Fujitani, ''Splendid Monarchy'', UC Press (1998), 180.</ref> Prior to that time, on a number of occasions in Japanese history, a widow or daughter succeeded to the throne.
==Terminology==
==Terminology==