Posted on 09/06/2025 2:29:17 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prince Hisahito is the first male royal to reach adulthood in 40 years. Many people in Japan worry he could be the last.
The elaborate palace rituals to formally recognize Hisahito as an adult on Saturday are a reminder of the bleak outlook for the world’s oldest monarchy. Much of this comes down to its male-only succession policy and dwindling numbers.
Hisahito is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is likely to become emperor one day. After him, however, there is nobody left, leaving the Imperial family with a dilemma over whether they should reverse a 19th century ruling that abolished female succession.
Hisahito is a university freshman who loves bugs
A freshman at Tsukuba University near Tokyo, Hisahito studies biology and enjoys playing badminton. He is especially devoted to dragonflies and has co-authored an academic paper on a survey of the insects on the grounds of his Akasaka estate in Tokyo.
In his debut news conference in March, the prince said he hopes to focus his studies on dragonflies and other insects, including ways to protect bug populations in urban areas.
Hisahito was born on Sept. 6, 2006, and is the only son of Crown Prince Akishino, the heir to the throne, and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko. He has two older sisters, the popular Princess Kako and former Princess Mako, whose marriage to a nonroyal required her to abandon her royal status.
Hisahito’s coming-of-age rituals fell a year after he turned 18, reaching legal adulthood, because he wanted to concentrate on college entrance exams.
He may be the last emperor
Hisahito is the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, who has one child, a daughter, Princess Aiko. Hisahito’s father, Akishino, the Emperor’s younger brother, was the last male to reach adulthood in...
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Yes, Japan has a very low (below replacement level) birth rate, but there is nothing to indicated that the Prince would not be able to produce children with the right woman and if enough children, one may be a male to extend the royal line.
He just needs the right matchmaker and a willing partner interested in having male heirs. That should not be too difficult to arrange.
He seems like he’s a bit light in the loafers. Japanese men may not be hulking he man types but they tend to be comfortable being men.
He actually looks pretty good for a future emperor. Naruhito and his dad were both short and goofy looking. They had to BEG Masako over and over to marry Naruhito, and she reluctantly did, even though she was one of the few women that had achieved what she had.
He also paints his toenails pink and has committed to memory long passages from Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale.
Of course there’s not going to be an heir!
Bring in the Handmaids
If that’s him, he’s adorable!
There are literally no males for three or four generational lines out and they are OLD. No j re males anywhere out there. Not first second or third cousins if I remember correctly. If you marry into the Royal house you must cut off ALL ties with your family and never see them again. Occasional phone calls are allowed.
I taught English to the aunt of the Prince’s mother. Interesting lady. She was allowed to attend the royal wedding and that was it.
I think that’s why the current emperor’s father married a commoner and each of his sons did as well. Too much inbreeding. Also too much pressure on the wives. Nobody wants to marry them. I understand the isolation and criticism are extreme.
”I taught English to the aunt of the Prince’s mother. ”
How did you get that gig ？
A friend of mine was teaching her and I got her (and her group) when her husband’s time was up and they returned home.
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