Video footage taken on July 15 in Tokyo’s Minato Ward shows Prince Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, exploring the garden of his residence to observe plants and insects. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Photo/Illutration Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Fumihito, turned 18 on Sept. 6, marking the first time in 39 years that a male member of the imperial family has reached adulthood.

Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, is also the first royal to reach adulthood under the revised Civil Law, which lowered the age of majority from 20 to 18.

Currently a third-year student at the high school affiliated with the University of Tsukuba, any ceremonies or events related to his adulthood are expected to be held after his graduation next spring.

Hisahito is the third child of the Crown Princess Kiko and Fumihito, the younger brother of the emperor.

He was the first male child born into the imperial family in 41 years and is currently second in line to the throne after his father.

Hisahito expressed his thoughts about coming of age in writing.

“When I think that I am already an adult, I realize how quickly time has passed,” he reflected, expressing deep gratitude to the many people who “have shown me their kindness in various ways over the past 18 years.”

He also expressed gratitude to his parents and his older sisters, Mako Komuro and Princess Kako.

“While preparing for college, I want to cherish the remaining time of my high school life,” stated Hisahito, a senior in high school.

“I want to continue to learn various things and grow,” he wrote.

DISTURBED OVER COLLEGE ENTRANCE

Regarding the prince’s college entrance, the Imperial Household Agency has simply stated that he intends to enroll in a university where he can study natural history, without naming a specific institution.

However, various rumors and speculations have circulated on social media, including negative ones targeting his alleged “special treatment” as the future emperor.

There was even an online petition protesting his suspected “abuse of the University of Tokyo’s early decision system” to unfairly secure admission to the nation’s top university.

“There is a lot of unfounded information circulating, and I am deeply concerned about it,” said Naomasa Yoshida, the senior agency official in charge of Fumihito’s household.

He expressed his hope that Hisahito can proceed with his college preparations in an undisturbed environment.

Meanwhile, the agency has recently reported on Hisahito’s activities over the past year.

During a school trip to Okinawa Prefecture in November, the prince visited the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum and natural caves that were used as military hospitals during the final days of World War II.

He also enjoyed snorkeling in the subtropical sea of the prefecture and stayed with a local family.

DRAGONFLY SPECIALIST

In his academic studies, Hisahito conducted a research project on plants that are suitable for dragonflies to lay eggs upon and presented his findings at school in February.

Dragonflies have been his scientific passion since childhood. In August, Hisahito’s research team participated in the International Congress of Entomology, one of the world’s largest academic conferences on insects, held in Kyoto.

The young prince visited the venue with his parents and interacted with researchers from around the world.

“The prince is exploring his interest in environmental diversity, where humans and other living beings can coexist,” said Masato Ono, a professor of entomology at Tokyo’s Tamagawa University.

Ono has guided and supported Hisahito since his childhood with his biological research on dragonflies, which serve as environmental indicators.

“He has developed a deep appreciation for the small and diverse creatures that coexist in the environment,” the professor said. “Research activities will likely continue to play a significant role in his development.”

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