Prince Hisahito, the heir to the throne of Japan, has turned 19 years old, marking his coming of age with a traditional ceremony at the imperial palace in Tokyo.

The coming-of-age ceremony of Prince Hisahito, the only male heir to the throne of Japan, took place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, where the young man wore a traditional helmet. Although he became an adult at 18, the ceremony was postponed to allow him to complete his studies. Hisahito is second in the line of succession, after his father, and represents the future of the imperial family. The imperial institution, although without political power, remains symbolic in Japan, and discussions about relaxing the rules of succession have begun, considering public support for women's access to the throne.