Prince Hisahito Turns 18: A Milestone for Japan’s Royal Family

Tokyo, 08 September – In a significant milestone for Japan’s royal family, Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. This event marks a crucial development for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but now faces the same existential challenges as the rest of the nation — a fast-aging, shrinking population.

A Future Emperor Prince Hisahito, who is set to become the emperor one day, is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male to reach adulthood in the family, in 1985. Hisahito is the youngest member of the 17-member all-adult imperial family, which currently has only four men. His status as the last heir apparent poses a significant challenge for a system that does not allow empresses.

Succession Challenges The 1947 Imperial House Law, which largely preserves conservative pre-war family values, only allows a male to succeed to the throne and forces female royal members who marry commoners to lose their royal status. This law has created a succession dilemma, as the government debates how to maintain stable succession without relying on women.

Public Sentiment and Legal Constraints His older cousin, Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, is the general public’s favorite as the future empress. However, the existing law forbids her from taking over that role, despite her direct line of descent. The succession chart can be confusing: Naruhito is the emperor, his brother Akishino is second in line, and Hisahito, the son of Akishino, comes next.

Historical Context An earlier proposal to allow an empress after Aiko’s birth was shelved as soon as Hisahito was born in 2006. This decision underscores the deep-rooted traditions and legal constraints that continue to shape the imperial family’s future.

Hisahito’s Interests and Future Plans In a statement, Hisahito expressed his desire to cherish his remaining time in high school. He has long been interested in insects and even co-authored an academic paper on a survey of dragonflies on the grounds of his Akasaka estate in Tokyo. His academic interests highlight a personal side of the young prince, who is preparing for his future role.

Government Proposals and Criticisms A largely conservative government-commissioned panel of experts in January 2022 recommended that the government propose allowing female members to keep royal status after marriage as a way to prevent the declining population within the imperial family. They also suggested adopting male descendants from now-defunct royal families to continue the male lineage with distant relatives. Critics argue that these measures would have a limited effect as long as the male-only succession is maintained, noting that it was workable largely with the help of concubines in the pre-modern era.

Conclusion Prince Hisahito’s coming of age is a momentous occasion for Japan’s royal family, symbolizing both continuity and the pressing need for modernization within the imperial succession system. As Japan grapples with demographic challenges, the future of its ancient monarchy remains a topic of national importance and debate.