Sun Sep 08 12:15:58 UTC 2024: ## Prince Hisahito Celebrates Coming of Age, Bringing Hope to Japan’s Aging Royal Family
**Tokyo, Japan:** Prince Hisahito, the youngest son of Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated his 18th birthday on Friday, marking his transition to adulthood and a significant milestone for the Japanese royal family. This makes him the first male member of the imperial family to reach adulthood in forty years, a welcome development amidst an aging population and declining birthrate in Japan.
Prince Hisahito, who is expected to become emperor in the future, expressed his enthusiasm for the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, stating, “I hope to learn more through each and every experience, absorbing various aspects and growing through them.”
In a bid to ensure that his studies are not disrupted, the Imperial Household Agency has announced that a ceremony celebrating this milestone, followed by a press conference, will be held in spring 2025 or later, after Prince Hisahito graduates high school.
This event highlights the importance of this coming-of-age ceremony for the Japanese royal family, particularly as it coincides with the recent lowering of the legal age of adulthood from 20 to 18. The family currently comprises only four male members, making Prince Hisahito’s transition to adulthood a positive sign for the future of the Japanese monarchy.
First Piper 