Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) and Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) at the Akasaka Residence in Minato Ward, Tokyo, December 1. (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency)
His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino (Fumihito) celebrated his 60th birthday on November 30. Since becoming crown prince following his father's abdication in 2019, he has actively participated in Imperial Household religious ceremonies conducted by the Emperor, attended official events, visited disaster-affected areas, and engaged in activities promoting international goodwill.
Roles and Engagements
Of the seven major regional visits undertaken by Emperor Naruhito during his time as Crown Prince, Prince Fumihito has led four, including the National Sports Festival for People with a Disability and the National Tree-Planting Festival. He also frequently represents the Imperial Family at national-level events.
In 2025, he served as Honorary President of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Deaflympics, Japan's first international multi-sport event for the hearing-impaired.
The Crown Prince holds the position of president or honorary president for 13 permanent organizations, including the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, and actively travels across Japan in connection with these roles.
Prince Fumihito has also expressed deep concern for those who lost their lives in past wars and disasters. He has attended memorial services for the Tokyo air raids and the Great Kanto Earthquake in both spring and autumn, as well as the October service at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery honoring the war dead.
These activities follow in the footsteps of Emperor Emeritus Akihito, who has shared in the joys and hardships of the people, while also supporting Emperor Naruhito in his duties. Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko) has accompanied her husband to many of these events.
Birthday Conference
Ahead of his birthday, the Crown Prince held a press conference at the Akasaka East Residence in Tokyo. Reflecting on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, he said, "It has given me an opportunity to reflect on the last war" and the importance of maintaining peace.
Prince Akishino also spoke about the growth of his eldest son, Prince Hisahito. Now 19, Prince Hisahito recently participated in his coming-of-age ceremony in September. The Crown Prince remarked that, in his mind, his son is still the little boy he once was, but watching him prepare for the ceremony made him keenly aware of how swiftly time passes. He noted that Prince Hisahito will continue to balance public duties with his studies and expressed the hope that "he will approach each responsibility with care and dedication."
On the current state of the Imperial Family, Prince Akishino acknowledged that under the Imperial Household Law, there are no underage male members with the right to succeed to the throne, and the number of family members engaged in public duties is declining.
He stated, "Under the current system, it is not possible to change the situation," adding that "for now, it seems there is no choice but to scale down the overall scope of public activities."
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(Read the article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
