Prince Hisahito of Japan, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, officially entered adulthood on Saturday, September 6 with a ceremony in the upcoming age consisting of a series of extensive rituals. At 19, he became an important step for Japan’s imperial family in four decades, reports the Associated Press. The ceremony took place in the imperial palace in Tokyo. He wore a beige robe to symbolize the youth before receiving an adult black crown, ‘Kanmuri’. He then bowed deeply for Emperor Naruhito, thanked his parents and promised to perform his duties as a member of the imperial family. Later he rides in a horse-drawn carriage and prays at the Palace sanctuary. The future of the monarchy prince Hisahito is now second in the Chrysanthemum throne, to his father Akishino. He is expected to become the emperor one day. After him, however, there are no young male heirs left in the royal family. Japan’s follow -up law only allows men to inherit the throne, and it has created a crisis. Hisahito’s uncle, Emperor Naruhito, has only one child, Princess Aiko. She can’t take the throne because she’s a woman. The only male heirs remaining is Prince Hisahito, his father and 89-year-old Prince Hitachi. Historians warn that the future of Japan’s monarchy, the world’s oldest, with a history of more than 1,500 years, with so few heirs is at risk. The life of a young prince born in September 2006 grew up Prince Hisahito with two older sisters, Princess Kako and former Princess Mako, who gave up her royal title after married an ordinary people. Hisahito, a first -year student at Tsukuba University, studies biology and likes insects, especially dragonfly. Earlier this year, he co-authored an article on the insect life around his family’s estate. Debate about the succession has had female emperors before. A law of 1889, and later the Constitution after World War II, allow men to inherit the throne. Many in Japan want Princess Aiko to be the heir, but conservatives block the change, AP reports. Questions Q1: Why can’t Princess Aiko accept the throne? A: A law made in 1889 only allows men to inherit the Japanese throne. Q2: Who are the current male heirs of the throne of Japan? A: Prince Hisahito, his father and 89-year-old Prince Hitachi are in line. Q3: Why are experts worried about the future of the monarchy? A: There are very few male heirs left, threatening the survival of the world’s oldest monarchy.
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