Thrifty Banker
  • Politics
  • Business
  • World
  • Investing
  • Politics
  • Business
  • World
  • Investing

Thrifty Banker

World

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

by admin 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
Workers survive 36 hours buried under India avalanche
next post
Starbucks poaches Nordstrom CFO as executive shake-up continues

Related Posts

When Gaza lost phone and internet connection under...

December 4, 2023

Japan Airlines jet bursts into flames after collision...

January 2, 2024

Abandon Ukraine and all of Eastern Europe is...

December 8, 2023

Tens of thousands still without power after deadly...

August 9, 2023

What rapid intensification means for hurricanes

August 18, 2023

Investigators arrive at South Korean president’s residence to...

January 3, 2025

British man accused of spying for Hong Kong’s...

May 22, 2024

Ukraine claims it hit missile system inside Russian...

June 4, 2024

Traumatized Thai farmers recount horror of Hamas massacre...

October 30, 2023

China’s northeast hit by unseasonable blizzard as heavy...

November 8, 2023

    Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest insights, updates, and exclusive content straight to your inbox! Whether it's industry news, expert advice, or inspiring stories, we bring you valuable information that you won't find anywhere else. Stay connected with us!


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

    Popular

    • 1

      Top 10 Countries for Natural Gas Production (Updated 2024)

      April 6, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Top 10 Uranium-producing Countries (Updated 2024)

      April 18, 2024
    • 4

      A GOP operative accused a monastery of voter fraud. Nuns fought back.

      January 3, 2025
    • 5

      Australian abolitionist, Grace Forrest, receives coveted ‘Freedom from Fear’ award

      April 13, 2024
    • 6

      Blinken, ahead of China visit, calls out Beijing’s ongoing ‘genocide’ against minority Muslims

      April 23, 2024
    • 7

      LME Sanctions on Russian Metal Push Copper, Nickel and Aluminum Prices Higher

      April 17, 2024

    Categories

    • Business (1,027)
    • Investing (2,041)
    • Politics (2,977)
    • Uncategorized (20)
    • World (3,341)
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: thriftybanker.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 © 2025 thriftybanker.com | All Rights Reserved