TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prince Hisahito is the first male royal to come of age in four decades, raising concerns that he may be the last in a line of male heirs.
A Reminder of Monarchical Challenges
The intricate palace ceremonies honoring Hisahito’s transition to adulthood highlight the troubling future facing the world’s oldest monarchy. The challenges stem largely from a male-only succession policy and a shrinking pool of potential heirs.
Hisahito’s Academic Pursuits
A freshman at Tsukuba University near Tokyo, Hisahito is studying biology and has a passion for badminton. He is particularly interested in dragonflies, having co-authored a research paper on their habitat at his Akasaka estate in Tokyo.
A Potential Last Emperor
Hisahito is second in line for the Chrysanthemum Throne and is likely to ascend to the throne. However, after him, the Imperial family faces a dilemma about whether to overturn a 19th-century law that prohibits female succession.
Challenges of Male-Only Succession
Hisahito is related to Emperor Naruhito, who has a daughter, Princess Aiko. Hisahito’s father, Akishino, was the last male in the family to reach adulthood in 1985. With the Imperial family dwindling, this raises concerns about the future monarchy amid Japan’s aging population.
The Succession Debate
In 2005, the government prepared a proposal to allow a female emperor, but nationalists opposed it following Hisahito’s birth. A conservative panel suggested maintaining male-only succession while allowing female royals to retain their status post-marriage. However, the debate has stalled over how to address the royal status of nonroyal husbands of princesses.
Upcoming Rituals
Hisahito’s coming-of-age ceremony began with him in a tuxedo receiving a crown from a messenger of Emperor Naruhito. In a main ritual at the Imperial Palace, he wore traditional attire symbolizing his pre-adulthood status, which was later exchanged for a formal adult outfit as he rode in a royal carriage to pray at three shrines. His rituals for the following week include visits to significant sites and meetings with dignitaries, culminating in a private family celebration hosted by his parents.
