The prince, nephew of Emperor Naruhito and son of Crown Prince Fumihito, joins a shrinking pool of adult royals as Japan's Imperial House Law restricts succession to males and requires female members to relinquish their titles upon marrying commoners.
"I aspire to grow through diverse experiences, absorbing various perspectives along the way," Prince Hisahito said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, Japan's royal administrative body.
The prince's coming-of-age ceremony will be delayed until spring 2025 or later to avoid interfering with his studies at a Tokyo high school affiliated with the University of Tsukuba, the agency said.
With only three eligible heirs - Crown Prince Fumihito, Prince Hisahito, and the emperor's 88-year-old uncle Prince Hitachi - concerns about the imperial family's future have resurfaced. Previous attempts to reform succession rules, including proposals to allow female monarchs or retain women in the family after marriage, have stalled in recent years.
Prince Hisahito, known for his interest in natural history, co-authored an academic paper on dragonflies last year. The agency said he is "studying hard" to enter a university aligned with his interests while gradually taking on more royal duties.
The total number of imperial family members now stands at 17, with 12 being women, underscoring the challenges facing Japan's royal institution as it navigates tradition and modernization in the 21st century.
