Prince Hisahito: The last heir to the Japanese Imperial Family did not attend a school for aristocrats

Prince Hisahito is now 17 years old and is getting closer to the responsibility of becoming the successor. In particular, he was the first member of the Japanese Royal Family in the post-war period who did not attend a school exclusively for nobles.

Hisahito was born on September 6, 2006 and is considered a "miracle" of the Japanese Royal Family, as he is the first royal son born in the royal family since 1965. Accordingly, he is the youngest son of Than King Fumihito and Princess Kiko, are also the grandsons of Emperor Naruhito.

The birth of the little prince also eased tension in the Royal family when facing a succession crisis because Empress Masako (then Crown Princess) could not give birth to a son.

It is known that the 1947 Royal Law only allows men to inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne. Before Prince Hisahito was born, many people and politicians worried about the future of the Royal Family, even calling for changes to the inheritance law to allow women to inherit the throne.

When Princess Kiko (now the Princess) gave birth to Prince Hisahito, these controversies were quelled and hopes for a legitimate heir were rekindled after four decades of longing.

As of 2022, Hisahito is the only male member of his generation in the Imperial family of 12 women and 5 men, including Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

So right from birth, Hisahito was in second place in the line of succession to the throne, just behind his father and before Prince Hitachi, 86 years old (Emperor Akihito's younger brother). He is also the only person in his generation qualified to inherit the throne.

Because of his special background, from an early age, Prince Hisahito received a lot of love and attention from the Japanese people. He was educated by his parents with a liberal and open ideology, different from the Royal tradition when he attended elementary and middle school under Ochanomizu University.

This is said to be different from tradition as most members of the Royal Family, including Hisahito's two sisters, study at facilities affiliated with Gakushuin University - a school founded in the 19th century for the nobility. clan.

The explanation for Hisahito not attending an aristocratic school is because the couple Prince Fumihito and Prince Phi Kiko wanted their son to enjoy a close education, without any special treatment due to his Royal status.

According to the Prince, experiences with peers from different backgrounds will help his son understand people's lives. So when he goes to class, Hisahito is like his classmates, sociable and friendly. He also has popular hobbies such as cycling, exploring nature, and learning about plants and animals.

Besides studying, when he was young, Hisahito also had many times with his parents to attend royal events as well as trips at home and abroad. In August 2019, he participated in a trip to Bhutan after his uncle - Emperor Naruhito - ascended the throne.

This trip of his is considered the Prince's debut as a future representative of the Royal Family. Also here, the little Prince interacted with members of the Bhutanese Royal Family in traditional costumes and tried his archery skills.

On his 15th birthday in 2021, Prince Hisahito looked more mature and mature. Although activities are limited amid the pandemic, he still actively participates in events inside and outside of school.

The Royal Internal Affairs Agency said that the Prince and his family personally made protective gear to give to medical staff. Hisahito also went on a 3-day field trip to learn about the lives of people with disabilities in June of the same year. He also learned to ride the bus and won a prize in a literary contest organized by Fukuoka Prefecture.

Now at the age of 17, Prince Hisahito surprises many people with his mature, mature appearance. It is known that in March last year, Prince Fumihito's son graduated from junior high school under Ochanomizu University and enrolled in Otsuka high school under Tsukuba University, also in Tokyo for a month. Later.

Prince Hisahito's enrollment marks the first time since the end of World War II that a member of the Japanese Imperial Family has chosen to attend a high school not affiliated with Gakushuin University, which is established in the 19th century for the aristocracy.

After information about the heir to the Japanese Imperial Family enrolling, Otsuka High School increased security such as installing surveillance cameras; At the same time, students and parents are required to bring identification documents when entering the school, and additional security guards are assigned to be on duty day and night at the main gate, according to Mainichi.

At Tokyo's top competitive school, the little prince is said to be actively participating in studies, club activities and events with his peers, including friends outside of class.

During his summer vacation, Hisahito also surprised his father by accompanying his father on a visit to the area as part of his official duties and attending various events.

Prince Hisahito has two older sisters, former Princess Mako (30 years old) who married a commoner last year and Princess Kako (27 years old), but they are not heirs to the throne because of Japan's Imperial House Law rules that only men can ascend the throne.

As mentioned above, because Emperor Naruhito only has one daughter, Princess Aiko (20 years old), Prince Hisahito is second in the line of succession, after his father. The remaining heir is Prince Hitachi (86 years old), younger brother of former king Akihito.