Japan's Prince Hisahito Holds His Debut News Conference
In the Japanese line of succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne, there are just three people eligible to succeed Emperor Naruhito: His brother, Crown Prince Fumihitio; his nephew, Prince Hisahito; and his great uncle, 89-year-old Prince Hitachi. Per the 1947 Imperial House Law, only men can succeed to the throne, excluding Emperor Naruhito's only daughter, 23-year-old Princess Aiko.
Prince Hisahito turned 18 in September, and this week, he held his first news conference at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo. 'I hope to carry out my role as a member of the Imperial family with the awareness of being an adult member,' he said in his remarks, per Japan Times. He added, 'It is important [for the Imperial family] to pay attention to people's lives and the state of society.'
This spring, he plans to enroll in the University of Tsukuba's school of life and environmental sciences, where he will study biology and research dragonflies. 'I have long been fascinated by insects, particularly dragonflies, and I hope to study them more broadly,' the prince said. 'I want to fully commit to my studies while also engaging in extracurricular activities.' He also shared his hobbies include growing vegetables and rice. 'Sometimes tomatoes are bitten by bugs and the rice is eaten by sparrows. But I feel delighted when I've managed to harvest vegetables and rice and eat them with my family,' he said.
Elsewhere in the news conference, he said a royal wedding was far from his mind, admitting he 'had not yet given much thought to the ideal timing or partner.'
In September, on his 19th birthday, Japan will hold a coming-of-age palace ceremony for Hisahito.
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