Prince Hisahito Celebrates Coming of Age, Faces Succession Dilemma

Japan’s Prince Hisahito has officially reached adulthood, becoming the first male royal to do so in 40 years. This milestone carries significant implications for the Japanese Imperial Family, as he may also be the last male heir under the current succession laws. The formal recognition of Hisahito’s coming of age took place through elaborate palace rituals in Tokyo on Saturday, highlighting the challenges facing the world’s oldest monarchy.

Hisahito, born on September 6, 2006, is the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. He is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, following his uncle, Emperor Naruhito. Following Hisahito, there are no male heirs, raising concerns regarding the future of the Imperial Family and its male-only succession policy.

The prince is currently a freshman at Tsukuba University, where he studies biology and has developed a particular interest in dragonflies. His academic pursuits include co-authoring a paper on dragonfly populations at his Akasaka estate. In his debut news conference earlier this year, he expressed a desire to focus on protecting urban insect populations.

The rituals marking Hisahito’s transition to adulthood were postponed by a year to allow him to concentrate on college entrance exams. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male member of the family to reach adulthood, achieving this milestone in 1985. Hisahito now stands as the youngest member of the all-adult Imperial Family, which consists of 16 members.

The monarchy’s current predicament stems from a 19th-century ruling that abolished female succession. Despite a historical precedent allowing for female emperors, such as the eight women who have ruled Japan, none produced male heirs. The 1889 prewar Constitution legally limited succession to males, a restriction that was maintained in the postwar 1947 Imperial House Law.

Historians point out that the male-only succession system is increasingly untenable, particularly given Japan’s aging population. While Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, has garnered public support as a potential successor, she is legally barred from ascending the throne. A proposal in 2005 to allow female emperors was overshadowed by the birth of Hisahito, shifting national sentiment against the idea.

In January 2022, a conservative panel recommended maintaining male-line succession while allowing women to retain royal status after marriage. This suggestion, however, has not resolved the ongoing debate about the future of the Imperial Family. Former Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa noted that the discussions have stalled, leaving Hisahito to bear the weight of the monarchy’s future.

To address the succession crisis, the Yomiuri newspaper recently proposed revising the Imperial House Law to grant royal status to the husbands and children of princesses. The publication urged the parliament to confront the pressing issues surrounding the monarchy, which is seen as a symbol of national unity.

On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, Hisahito began the ritual at the family residence, adorned in a tuxedo, to receive a crown delivered by a messenger from Emperor Naruhito. He then participated in a series of traditional ceremonies, culminating in a visit to the Imperial Palace where he donned attire symbolizing his new status.

The day’s events included a royal procession to pray at the three shrines located within the palace compound. Later, he greeted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in the Matsu-no-Ma, or Pine Room. Hisahito also received the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, a postwar tradition. Following the official ceremonies, a private celebration hosted by his parents took place at a Tokyo hotel.

Next week, Hisahito is scheduled to visit several significant sites, including Ise Shrine, the mausoleum of Japan’s first emperor, Jinmu, and the resting place of his great-grandfather, wartime Emperor Hirohito. He will also meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other dignitaries, underscoring his emerging role within the Imperial Family.

As Japan navigates the complexities of royal succession, Prince Hisahito’s coming of age stands as both a celebration and a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead for the Imperial Family.