The future Emperor of Japan has celebrated his Sweet 16.
Prince Hisahito of Akishino turned 16 on Tuesday, 6 September.
Hisahito currently attends Senior High School at Otsuka, University of Tsukuba, where he is in his first year. After the school year began in April, the Prince is said to be enjoying his high school education.
The Imperial Household Agency has said Prince Hisahito has joined the badminton club; he also enjoys working out and practising badminton basics.
He enjoys studying the habitat of dragonflies at his family’s home and is also interested in the conservation of biodiversity. The Prince has created a biotope at his home.
During his summer holiday this year, Prince Hisahito took part in a three-day trip to Tateshina, Nagano Prefecture, where he hiked Mt. Tateshina and learned how to navigate with a compass and map.
The Prince is the youngest child and only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko. He is also the only grandson of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
He has two older sisters, Mako Komuro (born Princess Mako) and Princess Kako. Following Imperial Household law, Mako renounced her titles and royal status upon marriage to a commoner, Kei Komuro, in 2021.
As only men can ascend the Japanese throne, Hisahito is second in line to succeed his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, after his father, Crown Prince Akishino.
Currently, there are only four people in the line of succession; in last place is Masahito, Prince Hitachi, who is 86. The Prince, who is the younger brother to Emperor Emeritus Akihito, will turn 87 in November.
