Japan’s Prince Hisahito, the second in line to the throne, held his first news conference on Monday, where he shared his intention to balance his royal responsibilities with his university studies and research on dragonflies.
Turning 18 last September, Hisahito became the first male member of the Japanese royal family to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years. This milestone is particularly significant for the Imperial family, which has reigned for over a thousand years but now faces challenges such as Japan’s rapidly aging population and declining birthrate.
The prince expressed his desire to follow the examples set by his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, and other senior family members, while focusing on his upcoming university education, which will begin next month.
During the conference at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo, Hisahito spoke about his views on the role of the emperor, stating that it is a position centered around being “always close to the people” and constantly thinking about their well-being.
Prince Hisahito is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne, following his father, Crown Prince Akishino. Prior to Hisahito’s 18th birthday last year, his father had been the most recent male member of the royal family to reach adulthood, doing so in 1985.
Prince Hisahito is the youngest member of Japan’s 16-person adult imperial family and one of only five men, including former Emperor Akihito. He mentioned that he didn’t have much time to celebrate his coming of age on September 6, as he is still finishing high school.
Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, which upholds traditional pre-war family values, only men can ascend to the throne. Female members of the royal family lose their royal status upon marrying commoners.
Hisahito’s older cousin, Princess Aiko — the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who is a Harvard graduate and a former diplomat — is a public favorite. However, the current law prevents her from becoming empress, even though she is directly in line for the throne.
Japan’s conservative government is determined to maintain a male-only royal succession, but it is exploring ways to allow women to retain their royal status after marrying commoners and continue serving in royal duties.
As a child, Hisahito developed a keen interest in insects, particularly dragonflies, and plans to pursue biology at Tsukuba University, located near Tokyo, beginning in April. He aims to focus his studies on dragonflies, a species that has fascinated him.
In addition to his research on dragonflies and other insects, Hisahito expressed interest in finding ways to protect insect populations in urban environments. He also enjoys growing tomatoes and rice on the palace grounds.
As members of the Imperial Family are expected to remain neutral in politics, many royals pursue studies in biology, literature, and the arts. Emperor Naruhito specializes in water transport, while his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who abdicated in 2019, focused on fish. Hisahito’s father, Crown Prince Akishino, is an expert on chickens.
Japan is set to celebrate Hisahito’s coming-of-age ceremony on September 6, marking his 19th birthday.