The Smartest Investors Club
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Investing
  • World

The Smartest Investors Club

World

Japan’s 18-year-old prince, second in line to the throne, holds a debut news conference

by March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025
Japan’s 18-year-old prince, second in line to the throne, holds a debut news conference

Japan’s Prince Hisahito, the second in line to the throne, held a debut news conference on Monday, telling reporters he would try to balance official duties and his university studies and research about the dragonfly.

Hisahito turned 18 last September, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades in Japan. It marked a significant development for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but faces the same existential problems as the rest of the nation — a fast-aging, shrinking population.

The prince said he would follow the good examples of his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, and other elder members of the Imperial family, while pursuing his university studies, beginning next month.

Speaking to reporters at the Akasaka Estate residence in Tokyo, Hisahito said he believes the role of the emperor as a symbolic figure is someone who “always thinks of the people and stays close to them.”

Hisahito is second in line to Japan’s Chrysanthemum Throne, only after his father, Crown Prince Akishino. Before Hisahito’s birthday last year, his father had been the last male to reach adulthood in the family in 1985.

The prince is the youngest of the 16-member all-adult imperial family and one of only five men, including former Emperor Akihito. He said he barely had time to celebrate his adulthood on September 6 as he is still finishing high school.

The 1947 Imperial House Law, which largely preserves conservative pre-war family values, only allows a male to succeed to the throne. Female royal members who marry commoners lose their royal status.

Hisahito’s older cousin, Princess Aiko — the only child of Naruhito and his wife Masako and a Harvard-educated former diplomat — is seen as the public’s favorite, though the law for now bars her from becoming an empress, despite being in a direct line of descent.

Japan’s conservative government wants to keep the royal succession male-only, without relying on women, though it is looking for a way to allow women to keep royal status if they marry commoners and serve in royal duties.

In his childhood, Hisahito showed an avid interest in insects and plans to study biology at the Tsukuba University near Tokyo, starting in April. He hopes to focus his studies on dragonflies, a species that has captivated him.

Apart from researching dragonflies and other insects, Hisahito told reporters he is also interested in studying ways to protect insect populations in urban areas. His other interests lie in growing tomatoes and rice on the palace compound.

Because Japanese royals have to stay away from politics, members of the Imperial Family tend to study biology, literature and arts. Naruhito’s specialty is water transport while his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito who abdicated in 2019, researches fish. Hisahito’s father, Crown Prince Akishino, is an expert of chickens.

Japan will hold a coming-of-age palace ceremony for Hisahito on September 6, his 19th birthday.

This post appeared first on cnn.com
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
previous post
High Resolution Ground Magnetics Commences at 100% – Owned Kiabye Gold Project, Western Australia
next post
As Trump upends US government, Xi aims to project that it’s business as usual in China

You may also like

‘We expected less resistance’: Ukrainian troops on southern...

Violent clashes as Turkey protests continue over detention...

Ecuadorian president offers carte blanche to police and...

Failed North Korean missile test may have fallen...

Russian military turns to motorbikes to evade Ukrainian...

Myanmar artillery shells land in China, wounding 5...

The new fight to reform the UN’s colonial-era...

Protests across Mideast as US’ Arab allies warn...

Zimbabwe opposition party says activist found dead after...

At least 11 people injured after projectiles reportedly...

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Latest

    • Buffett Hands Over Reins, What’s Next for Berkshire’s Capital Strategy?

    • Triumph Gold Updates Shareholders on Operations, Engages Market Maker, and Grants Options

    • Investing in Uranium ETFs: 9 Options for Uranium Exposure

    • Trump says 80% tariff on China ‘seems right’ ahead of weekend talks with Beijing

    • Crypto Market Recap: Bitcoin Breaks US$100,000 as ETF Inflows Rise, Coinbase Makes US$2.9 Billion Power Play

    Categories

    • Business (1,633)
    • Investing (4,797)
    • Politics (7,544)
    • World (6,131)
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • About us

    Disclaimer: thesmartestinvestorsclub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 thesmartestinvestorsclub.com | All Rights Reserved


    Back To Top