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Japan celebrated Prince Hisahito’s Coming of Age at a grand ceremony held at the Imperial Palace, amid ongoing debates about the country’s royal succession. Hisahito, nephew of Emperor Naruhito, was presented a traditional black silk and lacquer crown to mark his transition into adult royal responsibilities.
“Thank you very much for entrusting me with the crown today,” Hisahito expressed. “I am committed to fulfilling my duties and recognizing my responsibilities as an adult member of the imperial family.” Although the emperor’s daughter, Princess Aiko, is of age, she is excluded from the line of succession due to Japan’s male-only succession law, which has been a subject of controversy and discussion for years.
In March, Hisahito declared his resolve to carry out his role as a member of the imperial family. As the second in line to the throne, he is expected to visit the Tokyo Imperial Palace to honor gods and ancestors. While traditions stipulate that only men can succeed the throne—a practice rooted in over 2,600 years of legend—public opinion inclines toward more flexible rules that could allow women to ascend.
A local bartender, Yuta Hinago, remarked, “It doesn’t matter to me whether a woman or a man becomes emperor. I think there’s room for more flexibility in the succession rules.” For decades, Japan has debated the issue; a 2005 government panel suggested a gender-blind succession, which would have opened the path for Princess Aiko. However, Hisahito’s birth in 2006 put that debate on hold, with legislators hesitant to make major changes, citing concerns over tradition and national unity, according to Kenneth Ruoff from Portland State University.
Traditionalists view the male-only succession as the backbone of Japan’s identity, fearing that altering the line could divide the nation. Meanwhile, the post-World War II constitution restricts the royal family from wielding political power.
A proposed modernization idea is to allow royal daughters to remain within the family and carry out public duties after marriage, countering the long-standing practice of their leaving the royal role upon tying the knot. Conservative factions are also advocating for the return of distant relatives to sustain the lineage, though it’s uncertain whether such men would give up careers and personal freedoms for royal duties.
Hisahito has noted that he has not yet deeply considered his own future marriage, which may prove complicated. Historically, royal women who married commoners faced intense scrutiny, especially to produce male heirs. Empress Masako, once a diplomat, struggled with stress-related illnesses, widely believed to be linked to the pressure to have a son. Hisahito’s sister, Mako, faced relentless tabloid coverage after marrying her non-royal boyfriend Kei Komuro, with rumors of financial trouble on his family’s part leading to her developing complex PTSD. The couple has since moved to the U.S. with their newborn.
Members of Japan’s royal family remain frequent subjects of media and online gossip. Despite broad support for relaxing succession laws, the general public’s focus tends to be on other pressing issues such as rising inflation, according to historian Hideya Kawanishi.
“If public voices supporting women’s succession become louder, politicians might take more serious action,” Kawanishi said. “But once official ceremonies conclude, society and media tend to move on.”
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