A New Generation of Royalty Steps into the Light

On March 3, 2025, at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo’s Moto-Akasaka district, a young man who carries the future of Japan’s Imperial Family addressed the nation in his own voice for the first time. His Imperial Highness Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince and Princess Akishino, held his first official press conference—about six months after reaching adulthood on his 18th birthday in September 2024. It was the first such appearance by a male member of the Imperial Family since his father’s in 1986—39 years ago—and the eyes of Japan were upon him.

The conference, delayed due to both the lowering of Japan’s legal adulthood age from 20 to 18 and his university entrance examinations, was a landmark event.

Prince Hisahito appeared in a dark navy suit, wearing a tie patterned with what appeared to be his personal emblem, the Kōyamaki (Japanese umbrella pine), and took his seat with a calm but slightly nervous expression. Yet his opening words were not about his aspirations or impressions of adulthood.

“Before answering your questions, I would first like to express my concern for those affected by the forest fires currently occurring in Iwate Prefecture and elsewhere.”

This simple statement spoke volumes. In that moment, the young prince embodied the core ideal of Japan’s modern monarchy—an unbroken lineage of compassion and empathy for the people, passed from Emperor Emeritus Akihito to the current Emperor. Even at 18, Prince Hisahito demonstrated a deep understanding of this duty to share in the people’s joys and sorrows.

When asked whether he felt nervous, he admitted candidly, “Yes, I am,” but maintained a gentle smile throughout the session, speaking carefully while making eye contact with each reporter in turn. His demeanor reflected both the freshness of youth and the quiet responsibility of one destined to become Emperor. Notably, he spoke without a written script—a hallmark of the Akishino family’s philosophy of sincerity and spontaneity. To deliver an unscripted address at his age showed remarkable preparation and composure.

This press conference marked not only the public debut of a young man, but also a symbolic transition toward a more open, empathetic Imperial Family—one that values direct communication with the people. It was a subtle yet deliberate message to the world: Japan’s monarchy is not a static relic, but a living institution adapting thoughtfully to its times.

The Inquisitive Side: A Naturalist’s Curiosity about Dragonflies and the Earth

Beneath his composed public persona, Prince Hisahito revealed himself to be a young scholar filled with intellectual curiosity. Describing his personality, he said, “I tend to get nervous in many situations,” but cited as a strength “the ability to thoroughly pursue something that interests me.”

He smiled as he recalled a childhood memory:

“On summer holidays, I would spend my afternoons observing dragonflies around the woods and ponds, and before I knew it, the sun had already set.”

That deep focus, he noted with self-awareness, could also become a weakness:

“From another perspective, it can be a shortcoming—I sometimes get too absorbed in details.”

This ability to reflect critically on himself at 18 revealed notable maturity. His lifelong fascination with living things naturally led to his decision to enter the Faculty of Biological Sciences in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Tsukuba this spring.

His interests extend seamlessly from microscopic ecology to planetary-scale environmental challenges. As a hobby, he mentioned continuing to grow vegetables and rice, speaking not only about the joy of harvest but also the realities of crop damage by wild animals. These grounded experiences connect directly to his concern for climate change and natural disasters.

Referring to the 30th anniversary of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, he emphasized the importance of disaster preparedness, noting what he learned through Boy Scout activities.

From Emperor Shōwa’s research on slime molds to Emperor Emeritus Akihito’s studies of goby fish, and the current Emperor’s focus on water issues, Japan’s Emperors have long engaged deeply in academic pursuits. Prince Hisahito’s interests—ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainability—align with the 21st century’s most pressing global concerns. His perspective suggests a future monarch who could speak to the world on issues of planetary well-being, informed by scientific understanding as well as tradition.

Inheriting the Role of Symbol: The Royal Ideal of Walking with the People

When asked about the role of a symbolic emperor, given his position as second in line to the throne, Prince Hisahito responded with clarity and conviction:

“I believe the symbolic emperor is someone who always thinks of the people and stands close to them.”

In doing so, he succinctly captured the postwar ideal of the “people’s emperor”—an image shaped by Emperor Emeritus Akihito and faithfully continued by the current Emperor. He added that “it is important to continue paying attention to people’s lives and social conditions,” showing both awareness and adaptability to societal change.

His understanding of this role was not theoretical but born of lived experience within his family. He spoke of observing his grandparents, the Emperor and Empress, and the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, as they “devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their public duties.” He also described learning from his parents, the Crown Prince and Princess, by listening to their stories about official visits and occasionally accompanying them to see “how they interact with people firsthand.”

Asked about his aspirations as an adult member of the Imperial Family, he replied earnestly:

“I believe it is important to put my heart into each duty I am given and approach them with care.”

Regarding the future, he said he is open to studying abroad, viewing it as an opportunity for “new perspectives,” and added, “I’d like to discuss it carefully with my family.” When asked about marriage, he answered modestly, “I haven’t thought deeply about an ideal time or partner yet.”

His remarks demonstrated how Imperial values are organically passed down not through formal instruction, but through daily dialogue and example within the family. This informal yet intimate system of education may be part of what has sustained the world’s oldest continuous monarchy.

Quiet Resolve: The Sole Heir and His Path Forward

Prince Hisahito’s sincerity and calm composure offered reassurance and hope for many citizens. Yet behind this bright occasion lies a serious structural challenge facing the Imperial Family—one that defines the true significance of the event.

Under the Imperial House Law, only male descendants in the male line may inherit the throne. The current line of succession stands as follows: 1st—Crown Prince Akishino, 2nd—Prince Hisahito, 3rd—Prince Hitachi, now elderly. Crucially, Prince Hisahito is the only male heir of his generation.

This stark reality places immense pressure on his future. As female royals lose their status upon marriage, the number of Imperial Family members continues to decline. If no reforms are made, Japan could face a future in which, when Prince Hisahito ascends the throne, no same-generation royals remain to support him. That would risk not only a heavier public workload but also profound isolation.

Thus, even questions about his potential marriage are not merely personal—they are entwined with the survival of the Imperial lineage itself.

Viewed in this light, his calm demeanor and steady answers reflected not only personal virtue but a quiet acceptance of destiny. His remark—“to put my heart into each duty and carry it out carefully”—may represent his way of enduring that burden: to walk the only path available to him, step by deliberate step.

Ultimately, the true significance of this press conference lies not just in what he said, but in the symbolism of his presence itself. By standing there, he made visible to the public the unspoken crisis of succession. The more his sincerity resonated, the more citizens found themselves asking:

“Is it right for this young man to bear such a heavy weight alone?”

Prince Hisahito’s appearance was both a reassurance and a solemn reminder—a signal that the time has come for Japan, as a nation and a society, to consider how to support this young heir and shape the future he must inherit. It was a message delivered not with grandeur, but with quiet strength.