Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Prince Hisahito Turns 20 Amid Japan’s Succession Debate
Prince Hisahito is a member of Japan’s imperial family.
He turned 20 and is second in line to become emperor.
He studies biology at the University of Tsukuba and enjoys animals and insects.
He has also started attending some official events.
His cousin, Princess Aiko, is very popular with many Japanese people.
However, current rules do not allow women to become emperor.
Japan recently changed some succession rules but kept the male-only requirement.
Critics say this is unfair to women and old-fashioned.
Experts say the rules could create great pressure on Hisahito and his future family.
Prince Hisahito turned 20 and is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne.
The biology student has begun undertaking official duties, including attending events and commemorations.
Japan’s Parliament revised the Imperial House Law in July while retaining male-only succession.
The changes allow adoption of male heirs from distant former royal families and let female royals retain status after marrying commoners.
Critics call the revisions sexist and outdated, while experts warn they could place pressure on Hisahito and his future wife to have a male child.
- Who
- Prince Hisahito, members of Japan’s imperial family, Japanese lawmakers, critics and succession experts.
- What
- Hisahito turned 20 as Japan reinforced male-only imperial succession rules through a July revision of the Imperial House Law.
- When
- Hisahito’s 20th birthday was on Sunday; Parliament enacted the revisions in July.
- Where
- Japan, including Tokyo and the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo.
- Why
- The revisions address the shrinking imperial family and future succession, while preserving male-only eligibility for the throne.
Critics of Male-Only Succession
Government-Backed Succession Rules
Treatment of women
Critics of Male-Only Succession
Critics describe the revised rules as anachronistic and sexist, saying they help exclude Princess Aiko from the throne and preserve a patriarchal system.
Government-Backed Succession Rules
The government-backed revisions retain male-only succession while allowing female royals who marry commoners to continue official duties.
Future of the imperial family
Critics of Male-Only Succession
Experts warn that the rules could put Hisahito and his eventual wife under enormous pressure to have a male child.
Government-Backed Succession Rules
The revisions permit the adoption of male offspring from extremely distant former royal families, providing another potential source of male heirs.
- Age
- Prince Hisahito turned 20.
- Succession position
- He is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne.
- Education
- He is a sophomore studying biology at the University of Tsukuba.
- Succession rule
- Japan’s revised law retains male-only succession.
- Law enacted
- Japan’s Parliament enacted the revisions in July.
- Female royals
- Female royals may retain their status after marrying commoners, but their spouses and children will not become royals.
- Public preference
- The article says most Japanese want Princess Aiko to succeed Emperor Naruhito, although women are ineligible under current rules.