Japan’s Imperial Family, the oldest continuous monarchy in the world, reached a historic moment this week as Prince Hisahito formally entered adulthood.
The 18-year-old is the first male member of the royal family to do so in 40 years. Yet, while his milestone was celebrated with elaborate palace rituals steeped in centuries of tradition, it also cast a spotlight on the uncertain future of the Chrysanthemum Throne.
With Japan’s male-only succession rules and a dwindling number of heirs, Hisahito’s adulthood symbolizes both continuity and crisis for an institution that has endured for over 1,500 years.
A Rare Young Male in the Imperial Household
Prince Hisahito, born September 6, 2006, is the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko . He is the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, who has only one child, Princess Aiko. That makes Hisahito second in line to the throne, behind his father. Hisahito is also the youngest of the Imperial Household’s 16 adult members and one of just three men eligible for succession. The other two are his father, Akishino, and Prince Hitachi, the 89-year-old brother of former Emperor Akihito. This stark shortage highlights how fragile the future of the monarchy has become. When Hisahito’s father reached adulthood in 1985, the family still had several young male members. Four decades later, Hisahito stands nearly alone, his adulthood underscoring a succession system under strain.
Student, Nature Enthusiast, and Budding Scholar
Outside his royal duties, Prince Hisahito is a university freshman at Tsukuba University near Tokyo, where he studies biology. Friends and teachers describe him as an earnest student with a passion for nature. His greatest fascination is insects, especially dragonflies. In fact, he co-authored a research paper documenting species found on the grounds of the Akasaka Estate, where he lives with his family. At his first solo press conference in March, Hisahito said he hopes to devote his studies to protecting insect populations in urban environments, balancing scientific research with ecological preservation .He also enjoys badminton and spending time outdoors — qualities that present him as an approachable, relatable young royal for modern Japan.
Ceremonies of Adulthood
His coming-of-age rituals, though delayed by a year so he could focus on university entrance exams, unfolded with grandeur. The ceremonies began at his residence, where he donned a tuxedo and received a symbolic crown sent by the Emperor.
At the Imperial Palace, Hisahito changed into traditional robes that marked his pre-adult status. During the ritual, his headpiece was replaced with a formal adult kanmuri crown, signifying his new role. He bowed deeply, expressing gratitude to his parents and the Emperor, pledging to fulfill his duties as a member of the imperial household.
Later, he rode in a horse-drawn carriage to pray at sacred shrines within the palace grounds, a ritual blending Shinto tradition with imperial symbolism. His day also included meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, greetings with his grandparents, former Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and receiving the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the nation’s highest honor.
In the coming days, he will visit Ise Shrine, considered Japan’s most sacred Shinto site, as well as the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, the legendary first emperor, and that of Emperor Hirohito, his great-grandfather. These pilgrimages connect his personal milestone to the long history of the monarchy.
A Fragile Succession
While the ceremonies were filled with symbolism, they also served as a reminder of the looming succession dilemma. The Imperial Household Law of 1947 permits only male heirs in the male line to inherit the throne. This rule, established under Japan’s prewar and postwar constitutions, excludes women entirely.
Historically, however, Japan has had eight reigning empresses, the most recent in the 18th century. But none of them produced heirs, and modern conservatives argue that allowing female succession would break with “tradition,” despite broad public support for reform.
Without legal changes, the future rests heavily on Hisahito. If he does not have a son, the direct male line could end, plunging the monarchy into an unprecedented crisis. Experts argue that the male-only rule once worked because emperors maintained concubines, ensuring more heirs. With that system abolished a century ago, the law now shows its structural weakness.
Debate Over Reform
Japan has debated succession reform for decades. In 2005, when no male heirs were expected, the government considered allowing women to reign. Hisahito’s birth shifted momentum, and conservatives pushed back against the idea.
In 2022, an advisory panel recommended keeping the male-line rule but suggested that princesses retain royal status after marriage, allowing them to continue public duties. Conservatives also proposed adopting male descendants from former aristocratic families to strengthen the line, though critics argue this would introduce outsiders and dilute the institution’s legitimacy.
The debate has stalled in parliament, leaving unresolved the central question: should Japan prioritize maintaining a strict male lineage, or should it adapt to reflect modern society and secure the monarchy’s survival?
The Weight on a Young Prince
This uncertainty has placed enormous pressure on Prince Hisahito. Commentators note that he carries the future of the monarchy almost single-handedly. Shingo Haketa, former head of the Imperial Household Agency, warned that it is unfair to leave the weight of 1,500 years of history on one teenager’s shoulders. “The fundamental question is not whether to allow male or female succession, but how to save the monarchy,” he wrote earlier this year.
Public opinion surveys consistently show strong support for Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito’s daughter, as a future empress. She is admired for her intelligence and composure. Yet the current law bars her from succession, even as the country faces demographic decline and aging royals.
A Symbol at the Crossroads
Prince Hisahito’s entrance into adulthood is both a celebration and a warning. It marks the emergence of a new generation in the imperial family, yet it also exposes how fragile the line of succession has become.
His love for science and insects presents him as a modern, relatable royal. But beyond his personal character, he is the symbol of an ancient system struggling to reconcile tradition with contemporary reality.
Whether Hisahito becomes the bridge to a renewed monarchy — or is remembered as the last male heir to adulthood — will depend not only on his personal path, but also on the choices Japan makes about its imperial future.
For now, all eyes remain on the young prince, carrying centuries of tradition into an uncertain era.
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