Prince Hisahito Turns 20 as Japan Maintains Male-Only Succession

Prince Hisahito turns 20 as Japan’s government defends a male-only line of succession, amid a July reform that allows the adoption of male heirs from distant royal lines and lets female royals keep royal status after marrying a commoner (though their offspring won’t be royals). Critics call the changes sexist and anachronistic, arguing they increase pressure on Hisahito and his future wife to produce a male heir. Hisahito, a biology student at the University of Tsukuba, has begun occasional official duties and is often contrasted with popular cousin Princess Aiko, who is ineligible to rule.