Prince Hisahito of Akishino
Prince Hisahito of Japan turned 18 on Friday. Hisahito is the first person in the family to reach the age of 18 in the last 40 years. This is a big deal for the royal family that has ruled Japan for thousands of years. Like Japan, the family faced the challenges of ageing and dwindling numbers. Hisahito is the only child of Prince Fumihito, 58, and his wife, Princess Kiko, 57.
It is believed that one day, Hisahito will become Emperor of Japan. He is the nephew of Emperor Naruhito. Crown Prince Akishino turned 18 in 1985. He was the last male to reach adulthood in the royal family. Hisahito is the youngest member of the 17-member royal family. There are only four men in the family.
Hisahito is seen as the last surviving member of the royal family. This is a major concern for Japan. That is why there have often been disputes about how a man can sit on the throne without relying on the women of the family. The Imperial House Law was passed in Japan in 1947 after World War II. According to this law, Japan cherishes the conservative ideas of the pre-war period. According to this law, only men are allowed to sit on the throne. Also, if a woman of the family marries a person outside the royal family, she is evicted from the royal family.
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Masako, have one daughter, Princess Aiko. Queen Masaoka is a Harvard graduate and a former diplomat. The people of Japan want him to be the next emperor. But the law does not allow women to sit on the throne. Although Masako is of direct royal descent, she is legally barred from becoming emperor.
"Hisahito told Japanese media on Wednesday:" "I'm currently focusing on my school life."
