Japan Data
Society
Imperial Family
2024.09.06
Crown Prince Akishino and his wife have celebrated the coming of age of their eldest son, Prince Hisahito. This marks the first time in 39 years for a male member of the imperial family.
On September 6, 2024, Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, turned 18 and reached adulthood. This is the first time in 39 years since Crown Prince Akishino himself attained adulthood in 1985.
Hisahito’s eldest sister, Mako Komuro, and younger sister, Kako, reached adulthood at the age of 20. He is the first member of the imperial family to reach adulthood since the legal age of adulthood was lowered from 20 to 18 by amendments to the civil law in 2022.
It is customary for male members of the imperial family to hold a coming-of-age ceremony, which has usually taken place on the day they reach adulthood. Given that Hisahito is currently in his third year of high school, the Imperial Household Agency has decided to hold the coming-of-age ceremony at an appropriate time after his high school graduation in the spring of 2025, stating, “This is an important time for him to devote himself to his studies in preparation for further education.”
The Imperial Household Agency has budgeted approximately 2.57 million yen for the production costs of the crown used in the coming-of-age ceremony. The crown is conferred on male members of the imperial family upon reaching adulthood by the Emperor. Additionally, Hisahito will see an increase in the imperial allowance he receives with coming of age. The amount is stipulated by the Imperial Household Economy Law, increasing from 3.05 million yen to 9.15 million yen annually.
Profile of Prince Hisahito
Source: Imperial Household Agency
According to the Imperial Household Agency, Prince Hisahito is a member of the badminton club in high school and practices independently during breaks, improving his skills. He actively participates in school events such as cultural festivals and sports competitions. He has accompanied Crown Prince Akishino and his wife on local public duties and has engaged in interactions with foreign royal families. In his free time from studies, he is also involved in research on insect habitats.
Banner photo: Crown Prince Akishino and his son Prince Hisahito receiving an explanation about bees at the Insect Science Laboratory during a visit to Tamagawa University on April 6, 2024, in Machida City, Tokyo (Jiji).
Royal Family
Prince Hisahito
Crown Prince Akishino
Coming of Age