Male-only succession rules overshadow Japan prince’s coming-of-age

Japan has marked Prince Hisahito’s coming-of-age with a expansive ceremonial astatine the Imperial Palace, highlighting an ongoing succession crisis.

The 19-year-old nephew of Emperor Naruhito received a achromatic silk and lacquer crown connected Saturday, symbolising his introduction into royal adulthood.

“Thank you precise overmuch for bestowing the crown contiguous astatine the coming- of- property ceremony,” Hisahito said. “I volition fulfil my duties, being alert of my responsibilities arsenic an big subordinate of the imperial family.”

Despite Emperor Naruhito having a girl – 23-year-old Princess Aiko – she remains excluded by the imperial family’s male-only succession rules. But nationalist sentiment polls suggest beardown enactment for allowing women to ascend the throne.

The elaborate palace rituals to formally recognise Hisahito arsenic an big are a reminder of the bleak outlook for the 2,600-year-old imperial enactment – the world’s oldest. Hisahito is 2nd successful enactment to the Chrysanthemum Throne and is apt to go emperor 1 day. After him, however, determination is cipher left, leaving the Imperial household with a dilemma implicit whether they should reverse a 19th-century ruling that abolished pistillate succession.

As 2nd successful enactment to the throne aft his father, the prince volition sojourn the Tokyo palace to wage respects to the gods and ancestors.

The day’s ceremonies began astatine Hisahito’s household residence, wherever helium appeared successful a tuxedo to person a crown delivered by the emperor’s messenger. During the main ritual astatine the Imperial Palace, attended by royal household members and authorities officials, helium wore accepted pre-adult attire with a beige robe. The ceremonial replacement of his headcover with the achromatic big “kanmuri” crown marked his authoritative coming-of-age. Hisahito bowed deeply, thanked the emperor and his parents, and pledged to fulfil his royal responsibilities.

After being crowned, the prince changed into big ceremonial achromatic attire and travelled by royal equine carriage to commune astatine 3 palace shrines, and aboriginal met Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako successful the prestigious Matsu-no-Ma (pine room).

The ceremonial docket continues with visits to the Ise Shrine, Emperor Jinmu’s mausoleum successful Nara, and his great-grandfather Emperor Hirohito’s tomb adjacent Tokyo. He volition besides be luncheon with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and different dignitaries connected Wednesday.