Prince Hisahito turns 20, second in Japanese succession

Prince Hisahito of Japan officially turned 20 on September 6, 2026. As the son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, he is second in the line of succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Currently a second-year biology student at the University of Tsukuba, the Prince has increasingly taken on official duties following his coming-of-age ceremonies last year. His public engagements have included attending New Year celebrations, a state banquet for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and visiting Hiroshima to commemorate atomic bomb victims.

His academic and personal interests remain centered on the natural world. He has demonstrated a long-standing fascination with insects and nature, recently composing a poem regarding dragonflies, a subject of his scientific interest. His recent travels for official duties have included visits to Hokkaido, Mie, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima.