Prince Hisahito Holds First Press Conference

Japanese Prince Hisahito held his first news conference on Monday to mark his coming-of-age at 18, expressing his commitment to fulfilling his duties as a member of the Imperial family. Speaking at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo, he conveyed sympathy for those affected by recent disasters, including wildfires in Iwate Prefecture and the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

The prince emphasized his priority on studying while attending university but said he would gradually begin public engagements. He also expressed a desire to deepen his understanding of global affairs and explore studying abroad, seeking advice from his family. Prince Hisahito will begin attending the University of Tsukuba in April to study life and environmental sciences with a particular interest in dragonflies.