“The continuity component is surely helped by the custom of adopting (adult) sons to carry on the business, displacing ‘natural’ sons when direct progeny are no

“The continuity component is surely helped by the custom of adopting (adult) sons to carry on the business, displacing ‘natural’ sons when direct progeny are not viewed as suitable,” I have a Japanese friend that's part of a 400 year lineage of monks. He's expected to go back and be the head monk when he turns 50. Unfortunately he only has daughters. This little loophole could help him keep the lineage going.