On September 6th, Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, celebrated his 18th birthday and officially became an adult member of the Imperial Family. This marks the first time in 39 years that a male member of the Imperial Family with succession rights has reached adulthood, following in the footsteps of his father, Crown Prince Akishino. In the evening, Prince Hisahito greeted both the Emperor’s family and the Emeritus Emperor and Empress to commemorate the occasion.
Second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father, Prince Hisahito is currently a third-year student at the University of Tsukuba’s Senior High School. After school, he visited the Imperial Palace to offer birthday greetings to Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and their eldest daughter, Princess Aiko.
Following the legal revision in 2022 that lowered the age of adulthood from 20 to 18, this is the first time a member of the Imperial Family has reached adulthood under the new rule. Upon arriving at the palace, Prince Hisahito opened his car window, smiled, bowed, and waved in response to people gathered to offer him birthday congratulations.
Later in the day, he visited the Sento Imperial Palace at Akasaka Estate to greet the Emeritus Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. According to the Imperial Household Agency, Prince Hisahito expressed his gratitude for the care he has received over the years and shared his thoughts on taking on the responsibilities of an adult member of the Imperial Family.
Following the greetings, representatives from the Imperial Household Agency and close advisors extended their congratulations to the prince at his residence. In response, Prince Hisahito expressed his appreciation and stated, “While I am currently focused on my studies as a high school student, I am also committed to broadening my horizons, deepening my learning, gaining experiences through various encounters, and thinking carefully about my duties. I hope to fulfill my role as an adult member of the Imperial Family.”
Over the past year, Prince Hisahito has enjoyed a healthy and fulfilling high school life, participating in school events such as cultural festivals, and growing through various experiences alongside his friends. He has shown concern for those affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and, in April of this year, took the opportunity during his spring break to listen to young members of the Boy Scouts of Japan about their relief efforts in the disaster area.
He values taking part in events planned and organized by his peers. For the past three years, Prince Hisahito has attended the annual National High School Cultural Festival, and this summer, he visited Gifu Prefecture alongside Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to engage with other high school students.
Prince Hisahito resumed his studies earlier this month and is actively attending classes. He is diligently preparing for university, aiming to pursue studies in natural history, a subject he has been passionate about since childhood.
Reflecting on his journey to adulthood, Prince Hisahito shared the following thoughts:
“Turning 18 this September marks a significant milestone in my life. It feels like just yesterday that I was attending kindergarten, elementary, and junior high school, and now, reaching adulthood makes me realize how quickly time has passed.
Over these 18 years, many people have supported me in various ways. I deeply appreciate their kindness.
I am also grateful to my parents and sisters for their care and guidance throughout my life.
Since the civil law change in April 2022 lowered the age of adulthood to 18, I will reach adulthood while still in high school. As I approach my final year, I am focused on achieving my academic goals while cherishing the remaining moments of my high school life.
In the future, I aim to continue learning from each experience, absorbing knowledge, and growing as a person.”
The Journey to Adulthood
Prince Hisahito was born on September 6th, 2006, as the first son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. His birth marked the first time in 41 years that a male with succession rights had been born into the Imperial Family since his father’s birth. Upon his discharge from the hospital with Princess Kiko, crowds gathered to celebrate his birth.
His name, “Hisahito,” was chosen with the hope that he would “lead a long and peaceful life with a calm heart.”
Growing up with two older sisters, Mako Komuro and Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito was doted upon and, in 2010, entered the Ochanomizu University Kindergarten in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward.
For his education, the Crown Prince and Princess chose schools outside of the traditional Gakushuin system, opting for Ochanomizu University for both elementary and junior high school, with the belief that early interactions with peers would be beneficial.
During his early school years, Prince Hisahito visited significant sites such as Okinawa’s Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Parks in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, places that commemorate the horrors of war.
In 2019, he entered Ochanomizu University Junior High School, where he represented the new students during the entrance ceremony, vowing to “cherish and nurture each individual’s unique abilities while expanding possibilities and broadening perspectives.”
At the same time, his rank in the imperial line of succession rose to second after his father, Crown Prince Akishino, following Emperor Naruhito’s ascension to the throne.
Gradually, Prince Hisahito began participating in public activities, such as meeting with Okinawan students visiting Tokyo and attending the National Junior High School Speech Contest alongside his sister, Princess Kako.
During his summer break in his first year of junior high, Prince Hisahito traveled abroad for the first time, accompanying his parents on a trip to Bhutan, where they met the Bhutanese royal family and interacted with local children.
Throughout the pandemic, Prince Hisahito diligently kept up with his studies through online learning while schools were closed.
In 2022, he entered the prestigious Tsukuba University Senior High School through a special admission program. He has been actively involved in extracurricular activities, including badminton, and participated in various school events alongside his classmates.
Every summer since becoming a high school student, Prince Hisahito has attended the National High School Cultural Festival and engaged with students from across the country. He has also accompanied his parents on public duties, such as visiting Kagoshima in 2022 and Gifu in 2023.
As he reaches adulthood, Prince Hisahito continues to show a keen interest in entomology and natural history, conducting dragonfly research at the Akasaka Imperial Residence.
Traditionally, male members of the Imperial Family undergo a Coming of Age Ceremony when they reach adulthood. While Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Akishino both celebrated their Coming of Age on their 20th birthdays, Prince Hisahito, following the recent civil law change, became an adult at 18.
Due to Prince Hisahito’s crucial academic period as a senior in high school, the Imperial Household Agency has decided that his Coming of Age Ceremony will be held after his graduation. Only after this ceremony will he participate in official events such as New Year’s celebrations and other important imperial rituals.