Prince Hisahito Turns 18, Rekindles Succession Debate

Prince Hisahito, Japan's first male royal to reach adulthood in nearly 40 years, turned 18 on Friday. This milestone is significant for the 17-member imperial family, which is now entirely made up of adults and currently has only four men. Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, is next in line after his father, Crown Prince Akishino, creating a succession dilemma for a family that forbids female emperors.

The 1947 Imperial House Law restricts throne inheritance to males and strips female royals of their status upon marrying commoners. Despite public preference for Princess Aiko, Naruhito's daughter, to become future empress, the current legal framework prevents this. As such, Naruhito is the emperor; his brother, Akishino, is second in line; and Hisahito is third. Reflecting a familiar youth perspective, Hisahito remarked, "Right now I would like to cherish my remaining time in high school."

In a 2022 effort to address the declining number of male heirs, a government-appointed panel suggested allowing female royals to retain their status post-marriage and allowing male members of former Imperial branches to be adopted into the royal family. Critics argue such measures will have limited impact unless male-only succession rules, which were once facilitated using concubines, are modernized. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)