When Prince Hisahito, second in line to the Japanese Throne, gave his first press conference last March after coming of age, he placed special emphasis in front of the swarm of journalists overwhelming him with their questions on sharing the profound impact that the "indescribably heartbreaking" stories of World War II survivors, specifically those of the atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had on him in the encounters he had had with them up to that point. "I will continue thinking about peace, reading books, and visiting places related to the victims," promised the only male nephew of Emperor Naruhito.
He had naturally learned the lesson well. Because for any member of the imperial family, especially for someone who is destined to be the future sovereign of the nation, one of their permanent obligations is to contribute to healing Japan from the wounds never fully closed by the horrors of the international conflict and the atomic bombings, which are now 80 years old. We are, in fact, facing a somewhat surprising case, as the same Monarchy that was once led by Emperor Hirohito - who was saved from being tried for crimes against humanity by the pragmatic decision of the victorious United States - is now indissolubly associated with pacifist activism. To the extent that Hirohito's successor, Emperor Akihito - who abdicated in 2019 - dedicated his entire reign to being one of the most respected and recognized apostles of peace on the planet, a mission that his son Naruhito continues fervently today.
A commemoration as significant as the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is very present throughout 2025 in the agenda of the Imperial House. And so, in early June, the current emperors of Japan, Naruhito and Masako, made their first official trip to Hiroshima prefecture since the monarch was enthroned. Everything turned into a heartfelt State tribute to the survivors and the hundreds of thousands of victims, with the obligatory offering of flowers at the cenotaph in memory of the fallen included. Shortly after, the sovereign's brother, Crown Prince Akishino, along with his entire family, including Hisahito, visited an exhibition in Tokyo dedicated to the tragedy of Hiroshima as part of the commemorations for the eight decades of horror.
Surely, the young prince will vividly remember the first time he visited the Peace Memorial Park in the Japanese city that suffered the devastation of the first detonation of a nuclear bomb in History. It was in 2018, when he was just a child, accompanying his mother, Princess Kiko, in what was considered an essential stage of his learning as a future emperor.
Heavy Burden on His Shoulders
Especially because for years all eyes have been on this young man who is now 19 years old. And who, despite his youth, carries an extremely heavy burden on his shoulders, truly overwhelming for any mortal, that of being able to prevent the extinction of the Japanese imperial family, with over 2,000 years of uninterrupted history. Quite a responsibility.
The dynasty is running out of male heirs. And in Japan, a strict Salic Law prohibits women from ascending to the throne. The situation is so concerning that both chambers of the Parliament, the House of Representatives -equivalent to our House of Representatives- and the House of Councillors -Senate- have been entangled in discussions to modify the Imperial House Law for over two years to ensure the future of the Monarchy.
All in vain. In fact, the last legislative session ended this summer without any progress in what seems like an eternal unresolved Byzantine debate. Japanese parliamentarians have postponed the possible reform of the dynastic rules to a new session in the fall, to the total disbelief of Japanese citizens who, despite overwhelmingly -around 85%- supporting the idea of a woman becoming Empress, see how their political representatives are unable to change a single comma regarding the core institution of the State.
Setting aside the Salic Law, whose abolition is currently taboo for the main political forces, the entire debate revolves around two possible reforms. One is to allow princesses to remain in the Imperial Family after marriage. This would ensure that Princess Aiko -the only daughter of the emperors- or her cousins remain in the Palace in the future and continue to assume Crown representation duties. However, members of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which has been in power in Japan almost continuously since 1955, are reluctant to grant their husbands and any descendants they may have the status of Imperial Family members. Experts warn of the problem of how to ensure that these common citizens, free to engage in political activities and work in the private sector, do not interfere with the neutrality and dignity of the institution. Thus, they procrastinate and fail to make a decision.
The other measure being considered is that current dynasty members can adopt male descendants from ancient branches of the Imperial Family who lost their status with the 1947 reform. Here, the problems are manifold. For starters, it does not seem easy for commoners to suddenly adapt to the strict customs and limitations of one of the dynasties with the strictest protocols on the planet.
Among the Japanese public opinion, as reflected in articles gathered by the local press in recent weeks, there is a growing sense that the true intention of the LDP is simply to "do nothing." That is, to cross their fingers, entrust the future, and trust that everything will resolve itself with the passage of time. Contrary to the proverb of the famous Edo period artist and warrior Watanabe Kazan, "do not forget the plans for the next hundred years while dealing with the current situation," the leaders of the main Japanese political party bury their heads like ostriches in the face of the continuity problem of the imperial family, risking putting the Crown in an existential crisis. Because the problem at hand, of doing nothing, would only be resolved if Prince Hisahito starts having a lot of children, many of them male, in a short time. As mentioned, quite a pressure.
For now, the next major event for the imperial family will take place in early September, with the traditional coming-of-age ceremony for Prince Hisahito - postponed until now. The Japanese government recently announced the program for this historic occasion. On September 6, the prince will receive the kanmuri through a messenger sent by the emperor. We are talking about the traditional black headpiece - because it is not actually a crown, although in the West we refer to it as a coronation - specially designed for him, with a cost of 15,000 euros. Immediately after, the second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne will proceed to the grand hall of the Imperial Palace, where the colorful Kakan-no-gi ceremony will take place, including changing his childlike attire for the sokutai, a traditional outfit worn by adult men. And then, he will travel by carriage to the shrines of the Imperial Palace to meditate and pray for the dynasty's ancestors, as required by the rules of of Shintoism.
The festivities, which will last three days, will also include a congratulatory reception hosted by the emperors in the State Hall of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, which will be attended by the nation's leading authorities. Naruhito will invite his nephew to join him in the Omote-gozasyo Hall of the imperial residence, where he will present him with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum. Prince Hisahito will also visit his grandparents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko. And on the evening of the first day, the prince's parents, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko, will host a private banquet in his honor for the entire family.