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| Japan’s Prince Hisahito & Family |
Prince Hisahito marked a significant moment for Japan’s royal family as he turned 18 on Friday. This makes him the first male member of the royal family to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years. Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino, officially steps into his role as an adult in the Imperial family.
Prince Hisahito Steps into Adulthood
Prince Hisahito, son of Crown Prince Akishino, turned 18 on Friday, officially becoming an adult member of Japan’s Imperial family. This makes him the first male in the family to reach adulthood in 39 years, according to a report by Japan Times.
Hisahito, nephew of Emperor Naruhito, is second in line to the throne after his father, Crown Prince Akishino, who became an adult in 1985.
Future Plans and Royal Traditions
In a statement from the Imperial Household Agency, Prince Hisahito expressed his eagerness to learn and grow from every experience and thanked his family for their support. He specifically mentioned his parents and his sisters, Mako Komuro, who left the royal family after marriage, and Princess Kako. Hisahito also shared his intention to focus on his remaining time in high school.
Currently, Prince Hisahito is a third-year student at the University of Tsukuba's Senior High School in Tokyo. Although tradition calls for a Coming-of-Age Ceremony and a press conference, the ceremony has been delayed until after his high school graduation, which is expected in the spring of 2025, to avoid interrupting his studies.
Hisahito is the youngest in Japan's 17-member Imperial family, which includes only four male members. As per the 1947 Imperial House Law, only male members can become emperor, and female royals must give up their titles if they marry commoners. Besides Hisahito and Crown Prince Akishino, the only other male in line for the Chrysanthemum Throne is the emperor's 88-year-old uncle, Prince Hitachi, who has no children.
