Prince Hisahito becomes first royal male in Japan to reach adulthood in 4 decades

In a big milestone for Japan's royal family, Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. It is a significant development for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but faces the same existential problems as the rest of the nation — a fast-aging, shrinking population.

Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, is pictured at the Akasaka Palace imperial garden in Tokyo, July 15, 2024. Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, Sept. 6. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)(AP)

Hisahito, who is set to become the emperor one day, is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male to reach adulthood in the family, in 1985.