Prince Hisahito of Japan reached a significant milestone on Friday, celebrating his 18th birthday. However, the major celebrations have been postponed until 2025.
As the second in line to the throne under Japan’s agnostic primogeniture rules, Hisahito is still attending the University of Tsukuba Senior High School.
Traditionally, special ceremonies are held when a male member of the Japanese royal family reaches adulthood, which was officially lowered to 18 in 2022.
Due to Hisahito’s ongoing studies, the formal ceremonies have been delayed until next year. In a statement, the young royal expressed his desire to “cherish” his remaining time in education, saying, “I hope to learn more through each and every experience, absorbing various aspects and growing through them. I want to cherish my remaining time at high school.”
He also acknowledged his family, including his two sisters, one of whom, Mako Komura, left the royal family after marrying Kei Komuro, in line with Imperial House tradition.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Hisahito has developed a strong interest in biology, particularly in insects, and has even authored a paper on dragonflies. While Crown Prince Fumihito is passionate about fish and birds, Hisahito has carved his own academic path.
When the traditional ceremonies do take place, Hisahito will be presented with a crown from his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, and will participate in a formal ‘Choken-no-Gi’ audience with the Emperor and Empress Masako.
Currently, Hisahito is second in line to the Chrysanthemum throne, behind his father, Crown Prince Fumihito. Japan’s Imperial House follows agnatic primogeniture, which excludes women, including Emperor Naruhito’s only child, Princess Aiko, from the line of succession.
Discussions about adopting absolute primogeniture were considered after Aiko’s birth, but they were put on hold following Hisahito’s birth in 2006.
