At a time when Japan is facing the problem of a fast-ageing and shrinking population, it seems the Japanese Royal family too is hit by it. The Japanese Imperial Royal family is headed by Naruhito-- the emperor, and apart from him there are only three other male members of their 17-members family. Of which, Prince Hisahito recently turned 18 which makes him the first male Japanese Royal to reach adulthood in roughly 40 years.
Prince Hisahito is the son of Crown Prince Akishino and his wife Crown Princess Kiko; he is also the nephew of Emperor Naruhito. This makes him the second heir to the throne. Out of the four male members of the Japanese Royal family, Prince Hisahito is the youngest.