On January 2, 2026, Prince Hisahito of Akishino, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, made his debut public appearance at the annual New Year’s greetings ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Standing alongside Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Fumihito (his father), Crown Princess Kiko (his mother), and other family members, the 19-year-old prince waved to thousands of well-wishers gathered outside the palace grounds. This marked his first participation in the traditional event as an adult member of the imperial family, drawing significant attention amid ongoing discussions about the future of Japan’s monarchy.
Prince Hisahito, born on September 6, 2006, turned 18 in 2024, becoming the first male imperial family member to reach legal adulthood since his father in 1985. Japan’s Civil Code, revised in 2022, lowered the age of majority from 20 to 18, making Hisahito the first royal affected by this change. However, his formal coming-of-age ceremony—known as the Kakan-no-Gi (crown-wearing ritual)—was postponed to September 6, 2025, on his 19th birthday, to avoid interfering with his university entrance examinations.
The ceremony, the first for a male imperial prince in 40 years, followed ancient traditions at the Imperial Palace. It began with the delivery of a ceremonial kanmuri (black silk and lacquer crown) to his residence, symbolizing maturity. Prince Hisahito then traveled by horse-drawn carriage—the same one used by his father decades earlier—to the palace, where he donned ancient court attire, received the crown in the presence of the Emperor and Empress, and pledged to fulfill his duties responsibly. He expressed gratitude to his family and committed to carrying out his role as an adult royal with seriousness.
Currently a first-year university student at the University of Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, Prince Hisahito is pursuing biology in the College of Biological Sciences within the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. His passion for natural history, particularly entomology and the study of insects like dragonflies, as well as biodiversity and habitats, influenced his choice of institution. He has been observed engaging in fieldwork, lab experiments, group activities, and even university events such as sports days and festivals. The prince commutes between Tokyo and Tsukuba, balancing academics with emerging official duties.
As the only male heir in his generation, Prince Hisahito’s milestones have reignited debate over Japan’s strict male-only primogeniture succession rules, enshrined in the 1947 Imperial House Law. With just three eligible males in the line of succession—Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito, and the elderly Prince Hitachi—the imperial family faces a potential crisis. Female members, including the popular Princess Aiko (Emperor Naruhito’s daughter), are excluded from the throne, and women lose imperial status upon marrying commoners.
Public opinion polls consistently show strong support—often around 70%—for allowing female emperors or permitting princesses to retain royal status after marriage. Discussions in 2025 explored options like reinstating former branch families or broader reforms, but political negotiations stalled, with conservative factions resisting change. As Japan navigates these issues, Prince Hisahito’s entry into adulthood symbolizes both continuity and the urgent need for adaptation in the world’s oldest hereditary monarchy.
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