Who is Prince Hisahito, who could become the last emperor of Japan
Japan celebrated the coming-of-age of Prince Hisahito on September 6. He is the first royal prince to reach adulthood in 40 years.
During the ceremony, the prince wore a tuxedo to receive a crown, which was delivered on behalf of Emperor Naruhito, his uncle.
Inside the Imperial Palace, Hisahito first donned a beige robe that symbolised youth, but later exchanged it for the black ‘kanmuri’ headpiece, a marker of adulthood in the imperial tradition.
After the ceremony, the prince received Japan’s highest decoration, the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.
Born in 2006, Hisahito is the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. He has two older sisters, Princess Kako and former Princess Mako.
The 19-year-old is pursuing biology as a freshman at Tsukuba University. He is known to have a fascination with insects, especially dragonflies.
Hisahito has co-authored a scientific paper on insect populations in the Akasaka estate, where he was raised.
The young prince’s coming-of-age rituals took place a year after he turned 18, as he wanted to focus on college entrance exams.
Apart from biology, Hisahito enjoys playing badminton.