Japan marked a historic moment this past weekend as Prince Hisahito, the first royal male to reach adulthood in 40 years, celebrated his coming-of-age with a series of traditional ceremonies.
Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, highlighting the country’s ongoing succession challenges.
A Royal Ceremony Steeped in Tradition
Born on September 6, 2006, Hisahito had delayed his coming-of-age rituals last year to focus on his entrance exams for Tsukuba University.
The celebrations began at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where the 19-year-old received a crown from Emperor Naruhito via messenger while dressed in a formal tuxedo.
Later, during the main ritual, he wore traditional beige robes representing pre-adulthood, before donning the kanmuri, a black adult headpiece, symbolizing his official transition into adulthood.
A Day Full of Royal Duties
After the crowning, Hisahito changed into adult attire and participated in a ceremonial ride to pray at the palace shrines.
In the afternoon, he returned to greet his uncle and aunt, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, in the prestigious Matsu-no-Ma, or Pine Room.
Other traditions included receiving the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum and meeting his grandparents, Akihito and former Empress Michiko.
The evening concluded with a private family celebration hosted by his parents at a Tokyo hotel.
Continuing the Tradition
The celebrations continue this week with visits to Ise Shrine, the mausoleum of Japan’s first mythical emperor, Emperor Jinmu, and the tomb of his great-grandfather, Emperor Hirohito.
Hisahito will also meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and other dignitaries, reinforcing his emerging role in public and state affairs.
Modernizing the Imperial Family’s Presence
In a nod to the digital age, the Imperial Household recently shared photos of the celebrations on its official Instagram page, which launched in April 2024 and has already attracted wide attention.
Alongside this, an updated website provides the public with insight into the family’s history, culture, and current engagements.
These efforts aim to connect younger generations with the monarchy amidst ongoing discussions about succession.
Japan’s Succession Crisis
Japan faces a critical succession challenge due to its male-only primogeniture laws.
Emperor Naruhito has only one child, Princess Aiko, who cannot ascend the throne, leaving his younger brother Fumihito and nephew Hisahito as the only eligible male heirs.
With male births declining and female members required to relinquish royal status upon marriage, the family’s numbers are dwindling, raising urgent questions about the dynasty’s future.
Life for Female Royals
Princesses in Japan face strict rules: they cannot become Empress and must give up their titles if they marry a commoner.
This has prompted several royal women, like Princess Mako, to leave the family for marriage, leading to quieter lives abroad.
Despite public support for reform, traditionalists resist allowing women to inherit, citing the unbroken 2,000-year male line tracing back to the legendary Emperor Jimmu.
Debates Over Reform
Politicians and reformists have discussed options such as allowing princesses to retain royal status after marriage or reinstating former aristocratic families.
Yet, the male-only line remains firmly in place, leaving Prince Hisahito as the central figure in ensuring the dynasty’s continuity.
Public opinion, however, strongly favors giving women the right to rule, pointing to the balance many European monarchies have already adopted.
A Glimpse Into the Future
As Japan’s monarchy confronts the pressures of modern society, Prince Hisahito’s coming-of-age serves as both a ceremonial milestone and a reminder of the urgent need to address succession.
With just three male heirs currently eligible, including Hisahito, the future of the Chrysanthemum Throne hinges on how tradition and reform will navigate the next generations.