Lavish celebrations in Japan as male royal comes of age

Shortage of successors is a serious concern for the monarchy

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

Japan yesterday hosted a grand coming-of-age ceremony for Prince Hisahito, the first male royal to reach adulthood in 40 years.

The elaborate palace rituals to formally recognise Hisahito as an adult were a moment of celebration, but also a bleak reminder of the ageing demographic of the world’s oldest monarchy.

Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, was due to take part in a series of traditional ceremonies. Before Hisahito's birthday last year, his father had been the last male to reach adulthood in the family all the way back in 1985.

The prince is the youngest of the 16-member imperial family and one of only five men, including former Emperor Akihito.

Hisahito is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is likely to become emperor one day. However, there is nobody left after him to take the throne due to the male-only succession policy, leaving the Imperial family with a dilemma over whether they should reverse the 19th-century rule.