Japan's Prince Hisahito Reaches Adulthood Amid Royal Succession Concerns

Prince Hisahito, the only grandson of Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother, Crown Prince Akishino, celebrated his 18th birthday this week, marking his official entry into adulthood under Japanese law. His coming of age is a significant milestone for the imperial family, as he is the only male of his generation in the line of succession, underscoring the acute demographic crisis facing the world’s oldest monarchy.

The Japanese imperial household, revered for its unbroken lineage stretching back more than two millennia, now faces existential questions. Under the 1947 Imperial Household Law, only males in the paternal line can ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne. With the imperial family shrinking—currently only three eligible male heirs remain—debate has intensified over whether to revise the succession rules to allow women or matrilineal descendants to inherit the throne.

Succession Crisis and Gender Debate

Public opinion polls consistently show broad support for allowing female succession, reflecting changing social attitudes in Japan. However, conservative lawmakers and traditionalists have resisted such reforms, arguing that maintaining a patrilineal line is essential for the legitimacy of the monarchy. Critics note that this stance is rooted in postwar legal reforms imposed by the U.S. occupation, not ancient tradition, and that female emperors have ruled Japan in the past.

The government has launched several panels to study the issue, but progress remains slow. In 2021, a government advisory group recommended allowing women to retain imperial status after marriage but stopped short of endorsing female succession. "We must carefully consider the weight of tradition and the expectations of the people," a senior government official said at the time, reflecting the political delicacy of the issue.

International and Domestic Pressures

Japan’s imperial succession debate has drawn international attention, with many foreign observers viewing the current system as out of step with modern norms. Independent Japanese and international media have highlighted the risk of the family’s extinction if reforms are not enacted. Meanwhile, some nationalist and state-aligned outlets have attempted to frame the debate as a threat to national identity, employing appeals to tradition and warnings of foreign interference—classic propaganda strategies that seek to stoke public anxiety and stall reform.

The imperial family itself has largely refrained from public comment, in keeping with its constitutional role as a symbol of the state. However, sources close to the household have described a sense of quiet anxiety about the future. As Prince Hisahito assumes his adult responsibilities, the pressure on policymakers to resolve the succession crisis is likely to intensify, with the eyes of the nation—and the world—watching closely.