Future Emperor of Japan holds first news conference

Prince Hisahito, the future Emperor of Japan, has given his first news conference, discussing his future role and marriage.

In his coming-of-age news conference, the 18-year-old vowed to fulfill his royal duties and revealed he does not have marriage on the mind at his young age.

Only Japanese media were invited to the news conference. Foreign media were excluded.

Now that he’s an adult, he promised to do his best to represent the Imperial Family: “I hope to carry out my role as a member of the Imperial Family with the awareness of being an adult member.”

The Prince shared his thoughts on the role of the monarch in Japan. Echoing his uncle, Emperor Naruhito and grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, he said the monarch should be a symbol of Japan and put the people first.

Hisahito revealed some of his hobbies, which include observing insects and plants and growing vegetables and rice.

On the topic of marriage, the Prince said: “Regarding marriage, I have not yet thought deeply about the ideal time or partner.”

The royal will have his official coming-of-age ceremony on his 19th birthday on 6 September.

Prince Hisahito is the only son of Crown Prince Fumihito and the nephew of Emperor Naruhito. As women are barred from the throne, Hisahito is one of three men in the line of succession: his father, himself and his great-uncle, Prince Hitachi. As such, the Emperor’s only child, Princess Aiko, cannot succeed her father and will have to leave the Imperial Family upon marriage to a commoner and renounce her titles, like her cousin, the former Princess Mako.