Japan's Prince Hisahito is the first male royal to reach adulthood in 40 years. He may be the last

Japan's Prince Hisahito is the first male royal to reach adulthood in 40 years. He may be the last 28 mins ago Japan's Prince Hisahito is the first male royal to reach adulthood in 40 years, highlighting the challenges facing the world's oldest monarchy. Hisahito, second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, will likely be emperor one day, but it is unclear who would succeed him due to the male-only succession policy. On Saturday, elaborate palace rituals mark his coming of age. Hisahito, a university freshman, is passionate about biology and dragonflies. The monarchy faces a dilemma over whether to reverse a 19th-century ruling that abolished female succession. The debate continues, with proposals to allow female emperors or adopt male descendants from defunct royal families.