Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito, celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday, marking a pivotal moment for the country’s imperial family. This milestone makes him the first male member of the royal family to reach adulthood in almost 40 years, a significant development considering the long-standing tradition and the recent discussions surrounding the future of the monarchy.
Hisahito, the youngest member of the 17-person all-adult imperial family, is expected to become the emperor of Japan one day. The current law dictates that only male members of the royal family can ascend to the throne, a rule that has been the subject of increasing scrutiny in recent years.
His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male member to reach adulthood in 1985. The 1947 Imperial House Law, which largely preserves conservative pre-war family values, also states that female members who marry commoners lose their royal status. This law has led to concerns about the shrinking number of male heirs within the imperial family.
Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako, a former diplomat, is considered a popular choice for future empress by the Japanese public. However, the current law prevents her from assuming the throne.
Prince Hisahito, a third-year student at Otsuka, University of Tsukuba, expressed his desire to cherish his remaining time in high school. Known for his passion for insects, he even co-authored an academic paper on dragonflies found on his Akasaka estate in Tokyo. His Coming-of-Age ceremony and accompanying press conference are scheduled for spring 2025 or later, following his graduation.
In January 2022, a government-commissioned panel of experts proposed allowing female members to retain their royal status after marriage. This recommendation aimed to address the declining population within the imperial family while also considering the adoption of male descendants from defunct royal families to maintain the male lineage.
The succession chart places Naruhito as the current emperor, followed by his brother Akishino. Hisahito, Akishino’s son, is next in line. Prince Hisahito’s coming of age signifies a crucial moment in the ongoing conversation about the future of Japan’s monarchy and the possible need for reform in the Imperial House Law.
