The Royal Prince Hisahito has reached the age of majority
In a significant event held in the Tokyo Imperial Palace, Prince Hisahito, the youngest grandson of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, was officially recognized as an adult on his 19th birthday. The ceremony, which marked a milestone in the young prince's life, was attended by the Japanese Emperor and Empress, and was broadcast live by NHK, a Japanese TV broadcaster.
This was the first such ceremony in nearly 40 years, and it followed a year's delay due to organizational reasons. The last similar ceremony was held for Prince Hisahito's father, Akishino, in 1993.
Prince Hisahito, who is currently studying, expressed his gratitude to the Emperor, Empress, and his parents during the ceremony. He also received a crown from Emperor Naruhito, a symbolic gesture marking his transition to adulthood in the imperial family. A court official placed the crown on Prince Hisahito's head, signifying the formal recognition of his status.
The ceremony took on added significance due to the succession issue within the imperial house. According to imperial expert Ernst Lokowandt, if Prince Hisahito does not have a male heir, the imperial house will cease to exist. This has sparked discussions about changing the court law to allow the eldest child, regardless of gender, to inherit the throne.
If Japan were to change its law, the next in line to the throne after Emperor Naruhito would be his daughter, Princess Aiko, rather than Prince Hisahito, who is currently the heir under the male-only succession rule.
Prince Hisahito has two sisters, but under the current law, they are not eligible to ascend the throne. The Japanese court law prohibits women from ascending the throne, a tradition that has been in place for centuries. However, the increasing pressure to reform this law has led to ongoing debates and discussions within the country.
As Prince Hisahito steps into his adulthood, the future of the imperial house and the potential changes in the succession law remain topics of interest and discussion among the Japanese public and the international community.
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