Prince Hisahito - the 18-year-old prince of Japan and second in line to the throne after his father Crown Prince Akishino - held a press conference on Monday (March 3) saying he would try to balance his official duties along with his studies: university and research about the dragonfly. 

Advertisment

Also read: Princess Eugenie remembers 'special friend' Michelle Trachtenberg, shares post

Hisahito turned 18 in September 2024 and became the first male royal member of Japan to reach adulthood in almost four decades in Japan.

The prince said he would follow the good examples of his uncle, Emperor Naruhito, and other elder members of the imperial family. 

Advertisment

Speaking to reporters at the Akasaka Estate residence in Tokyo, Hisahito said he believes the role of the emperor as a symbolic figure is someone who “always thinks of the people and stays close to them," Associate Press (AP) reported. 

Also read: Royal artists! Kate Middleton shares hand-drawn portraits by Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George

Hisahito is the youngest of the 16-member imperial family and one of only five men. 

Advertisment

Hisahito is planning to study biology at the Tsukuba University near Tokyo. It will start in April 2025. He wants to focus on studying dragonflies. He is also interested in studying ways to protect insect populations in urban areas, he told reporters. 

WATCH: Japan's Prince Hisahito Vows To Fulfil Royal Duties At Maiden Press Conference

'No-woman' royal succession 

Hisahito’s older cousin, Princess Aiko is the only child of Naruhito and his wife Masako. Despite being the public’s favorite, she cannot be an empress as the laws bar a woman from becoming the ruler in Japan. 

The conservative government in Japan wants to keep the royal succession limited to men only. It is looking for ways to allow women marry commoners without losing their royal status. 

Also read: Japan's Princess Mikasa, great aunt to emperor, dies aged 101

(With inputs from agencies)