Japan celebrated the coming-of-age of Prince Hisahito, nephew of Emperor Naruhito, in an elaborate ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on September 6, 2025.
The 19-year-old prince is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is expected to play a crucial role in the future of the Japanese monarchy.
During the ceremony, Prince Hisahito received a black silk and lacquer crown, symbolizing his transition to adulthood.
He alao expressed gratitude to Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, saying, “I will fulfill my duties, being aware of my responsibilities as an adult member of the imperial family.”
The prince later boarded a carriage to attend other ceremonial events, dressed in a traditional dark-colored costume worn by adult royals.
The coming-of-age ceremony highlighted the looming succession crisis in Japan’s monarchy.
The current male-only succession rules exclude Emperor Naruhito’s 23-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, from the line of succession.
Despite public support for female succession, with 80 per cent of respondents in favour, politicians have been slow to act on reforming the rules.
Many Japanese citizens believe the succession rules should be more flexible.
“It doesn’t matter if a woman or a man becomes emperor,” said Tokyo bartender Yuta Hinago.
Part-time shop clerk Minori Ichinose added, “Gender doesn’t matter.” Public opinion polls have consistently shown high support for allowing women to ascend to the throne.
The lack of male heirs posed a significant challenge to the monarchy’s future.
Prince Hisahito’s birth in 2006 temporarily halted discussions on succession reform, but the issue remained pressing.
Historians believe the monarchy has existed for over 1,500 years, with female succession previously permitted.
To address the succession crisis, some propose allowing royal daughters to continue their public duties after marriage or bringing distant male relatives into the royal family.
However, it is unclear if these men would be willing to give up their careers and freedom to continue the lineage.
Kenneth Ruoff, director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Portland State University, noted that politicians have been “kicking the can down the road” and delaying a solution.
