In Tokyo, Japan’s Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, addressed the public for the first time on Monday. The prince discussed how he plans to juggle his royal responsibilities alongside his university education and a particular interest in dragonfly research. Now 18, Hisahito is the first male member of Japan’s imperial family to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years, which is a pivotal moment for a lineage that has endured over a thousand years but is now dealing with contemporary challenges such as an aging and declining population.
During the news conference at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo, Hisahito expressed his admiration for his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, and other senior members of the imperial family, indicating his intention to emulate their positive examples as he embarks on his university education. As he begins his studies next month, Hisahito shared his view that the role of the emperor should be that of a symbolic figure who consistently thinks about and remains connected to the people.
Hisahito ranks as the second successor to the throne, following his father, Crown Prince Akishino. Notably, before Hisahito turned 18 last September, his father was the last male family member to reach the age of maturity back in 1985. Despite his inclusion in the 16-member imperial household, Hisahito is among the few male royals and the youngest one in a family predominantly composed of adults.
The 1947 Imperial House Law, which retains a conservative approach to family values, stipulates that only males can ascend to the throne. It also dictates that female royals relinquish their royal status upon marrying commoners. Hisahito’s cousin, Princess Aiko, who is the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and an educated diplomat from Harvard, remains favored by the public but is currently ineligible for the throne as the law does not permit empresses, despite her direct lineage.
Despite public conversations about expanding the imperial succession to include women, Japan’s conservative government remains committed to a male-only line of succession. However, there is an ongoing discussion about creating avenues for royal women to retain their status if they marry commoners, potentially allowing them to fulfill royal duties.
As a child, Hisahito developed a keen fascination with insects. This passion has persisted, and he plans to pursue biology at Tsukuba University near Tokyo, focusing his academic efforts on studying dragonflies. In conversation with reporters, Hisahito also expressed an interest in exploring strategies to protect urban insect populations. His hobbies include cultivating tomatoes and rice on the palace grounds.
Likewise, members of the Japanese imperial family generally steer clear of political involvement and often pursue education in fields such as biology, literature, and the arts. Emperor Naruhito specializes in water transport, while his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who stepped down in 2019, is known for his research on fish. Crown Prince Akishino, Hisahito’s father, is recognized for his expertise on chickens.
Japan is set to celebrate Hisahito’s coming of age with a palace ceremony on his forthcoming birthday on September 6, marking his 19th year.
