Japan’s Prince Hisahito celebrated his 20th birthday on Sunday, stepping into the spotlight as the future of the Chrysanthemum Throne amid intense public debate over the government's highly controversial male-only succession laws.
As the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, Hisahito is second in line to Japan’s 1,500-year-old throne. He is also the youngest member of an imperial family that has rapidly shrunk and aged to just 16 people. Once a child known for his love of animals and dragonflies, the prince is now a biology sophomore at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo. He is frequently seen on campus riding his bicycle or carrying a bug-catching net with friends.
While prioritizing his university studies, Hisahito has recently begun taking on official imperial duties. In May, he attended a formal palace banquet hosted for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Later, in August, he traveled to southwestern Japan to join a teenagers' camp and pray for the victims of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.
His milestone birthday comes on the heels of controversial legislative changes. In July, Japan's Parliament enacted a revised succession law backed by conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The updated law lifts the ban on adopting male offspring from highly distant former royal lines and allows female royals to retain their status after marrying commoners so they can continue their public duties. However, their husbands and future children will not hold royal status.
Critics have slammed these revisions as sexist and anachronistic, sparking protests among Japanese citizens who view the changes as a deliberate move to prevent Princess Aiko from ruling. Opponents argue the law reinforces a patriarchal system and perpetuates gender discrimination. According to experts, the rigid rules place immense pressure on Hisahito and his future wife to produce a male heir, as the survival of the imperial lineage depends entirely on them.
Reflecting on his future during his debut press conference last year, Hisahito emphasized that his current priority is his education. He expressed a desire to study abroad to broaden his perspective and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. When asked about his personal life, the prince remarked, “About marriage, I haven't thought about an ideal timing or a partner yet.”
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.