Overview

• Prince Hisahito, 19, was formally recognized as an adult at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, beginning a multi‑day sequence of traditional ceremonies.
• He is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after his father, Crown Prince Fumihito.
• The rites are the first of their kind for a male royal since 1985 and follow Japan’s 2022 change that lowered the legal age of majority to 18.
• Saturday’s rituals included the delivery of a kanmuri headpiece, the Kakan no Gi ceremony, a carriage procession, wardrobe changes, shrine visits and the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum.
• The schedule continues with visits to the Ise Grand Shrine and the tomb of Emperor Jimmu on Sept. 8, the tomb of Emperor Showa on Sept. 9, and a Sept. 10 banquet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as debate over succession rules remains unresolved.