In a big milestone for Japan’s royal family, Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades.
It is a significant development for a family that has ruled for more than a millennium but faces the same existential problems as the rest of the nation — a fast-aging, shrinking population.
Hisahito, who is set to become the emperor one day, is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito.
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Prince Hisahito turned 18 on Friday, becoming the first male royal family member to reach adulthood in almost four decades. IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD AGENCY OF JAPAN/AFP via Getty Images
His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last male to reach adulthood in the family, in 1985.
Hisahito is
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