Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan
Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan, born 30 November 1965, is the younger brother and heir presumptive of the Emperor Naruhito of Japan, and the younger son of Emperor Akihito of Japan and Empress Emerita Michiko of Japan. Since his marriage in June 1990, he has had the title Prince Akishino and has headed his own branch of the imperial family.
Fumihito has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Gakushūin University and a PhD in ornithology from The Graduate University for Advanced Studies. In 1990, he married Kiko, Crown Princess of Japan, with whom he has three children: Mako and Princess Kako of Akishino and Prince Hisahito of Akishino.
In November 2020, Fumihito was officially declared heir presumptive to the throne, during the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince in Tokyo. Preceding his investiture as Crown Prince, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture, which was implemented in 1889 and reinforced on the constitution of Japan by the Allies after World War II. However, once Fumihito and Kiko had their son Hisahito in September 2006 he became next in the line of succession following his father. Fumihito’s niece and Emperor Naruhito’s only child, Aiko, Princess Toshi remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues.
As active working members of the imperial family, Fumihito and his wife Kiko’s schedule includes attending summits, and organizational and global event meetings. The couple has particularly represented the Japanese imperial house in ceremonies involving heads of state and VIPs abroad.
Titles and Styles
- 30 November 1965-28 June 1990: His Imperial Highness Prince Aya
- 29 June 1990-8 November 2020: His Imperial Highness The Prince of Akishino
- 8 November 2020:-present His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince of Japan