Crown Prince Fumihito strolls in the garden of his residence with Crown Princess Kiko, second daughter Princess Kako and only son Prince Hisahito before his 58th birthday. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Photo/Illutration Crown Prince Fumihito, second from left, strolls in the garden of his residence with Crown Princess Kiko, second from right, second daughter Princess Kako, left, and only son Prince Hisahito before his 58th birthday. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Crown Prince Fumihito, who turned 58 on Nov. 30, expressed the need to reconsider official duties in response to the dwindling number of imperial family members.

“Some kind of review may become necessary,” he said at a news conference held before his birthday.

He added that any review should involve discussions with event organizers and the Imperial Household Agency, rather than being solely led by himself.

There are currently 17 imperial family members. Eight are over 60, including Fumihito’s older brother, Emperor Naruhito, 63, Princess Yuriko, 100, and Prince Hitachi, 88.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito, 89, and Empress Emerita Michiko, 89, have not engaged in official duties since Akihito abdicated the throne in 2019.

Only four imperial family members are under 30, three of whom are women. Under the current system, female members lose their royal status if they marry a commoner.

Fumihito recognized that the aging of the imperial family and the decrease in the number of its members are inevitable.

It has been nearly two years since the government’s panel of experts, which is discussing how to ensure the stable succession of the imperial throne, submitted a report to the Diet outlining measures to tackle the declining number of imperial family members.

The crown prince refrained from commenting on the current situation in which discussions in the Diet have stalled, citing the matter as related to the imperial household system.

He also referred to his 2004 statement that “official duties are quite passive” and emphasized the need for a review.

Fumihito said, for example, there is “no need to take on” roles such as honorary presidencies and those specializing in certain fields unless individuals have a strong interest or are actively involved.

His family residence in Tokyo’s Akasaka Estate has recently been renovated, including expansions in some areas.

Fumihito specified that 66 percent of the expanded space is for office areas for Imperial Household Agency officials and 29 percent is for public rooms, with only 5 percent left for private rooms.

He noted that previous announcements from the agency lacked clarity in this distribution, saying that “explanations were insufficient.” He also sought understanding from the public.

His second daughter, Princess Kako, resides in an annex.

Fumihito said that since the 28-year-old Kako would leave the imperial family upon marriage, “it seemed unnecessary to make a room for her in the renovated residence.”

He also acknowledged the delay in releasing such details, saying, “I procrastinated” and “We should have announced it in a timelier fashion.”

The agency launched a public relations office in April.

Fumihito said the office needs to consider how to maintain close contact and collaborate in disseminating information with each branch of the imperial family.

As for sharing information about activities beyond official duties, he said, “It might be difficult without certain standards.”

Regarding Kako’s marriage, he said, “We would like to listen carefully to her thoughts and discuss with her while conveying our thoughts.”

Fumihito also referred to Prince Hisahito, his only son and second in line to the throne, who will start his final year of high school in April and reach adulthood in September.

“What he wants to do is the most important thing," the crown prince said. "I hope he will pursue the path where he can do such things.” 

As for the emperor emeritus, who will turn 90 next month, Fumihito said, “I’m very pleased that he is the oldest among all Japanese emperors in history.”

He added that interacting with people and going out are “important for staying healthy.”

(This article was written by Akiko Tada and Ryota Goto.)

Related News