Figure 1.--Here is a formal portrait of Prince Akishino in traditional robes. We are not sure for what events he wore traditional clothing other than these formal portraits. He looks to be about 5 years old. Put the cursor on the omage to see him in his primary school uniform.

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko's second son was Prince Akishino. The Prince was born on November 30, 1965. He know little about his childhood. He was about 5 years younger than his older brother, Crown Prince Naruhito, which probably prevented them from sharing many experiences. His childhood appellation was Prince Aya. Like other Japanese princes, He attended the Gakushūin School. As a todler he wore French-style rompers. Here we see him in traditional robes for a formnal portrait (figure 1). He attended regular Japanese schools like his big brother. We note him wearing his school uniforms. And like his brother he attended universities in Japan and England. He graduated from Gakushuin University in March 1988 and studied at St. John's College of Oxford University from October 1988 to June 1990. Since his graduation, he has paid a number of official visits to other countries and has undertaken official duties at home. In June 1990 he married Miss Kiko Kawashima, daughter of Dr. Tatsuhiko Kawashima, a professor at Gakushuin University. The Japanese royals see to have led exemplery lives. You do not see them in the tabloids like the European royals. Thus we know next to nothing about Prince Akishino beyond the official releases from the royal family. No Paparazi are tolerated in Japan. much morettntion befan to be given to Prince Akishino when his brother failed to produce a male heir. For a while the Japanese toyed with the idea of a reigning Japanese emperess.

Parents

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko's second son was Prince Akishino. He is known as Fumihito.

Childhood

Prince Akishino was born on November 30, 1965. He know little about his childhood. He was about 5 years younger than his older brother, Crown Prince Naruhito, which probably prevented them from sharing many experiences. His childhood appellation was Prince Aya. He especially enjoyed tennis and played at Gakushūin primay and secondary school.

Clothing

As a todler he wore French-style rompers. Here we see him in traditional robes for a formnal portrait (figure 1).

Education

Like other Japanese princes, Akishino attended the Gakushūin School. This was the Tokyo proivate school school used by Japanese imperial families beginning with Meiji Restoration (1870s). The Prince attended regular Japanese schools like his big brother and earlier princdes. We note him wearing his school uniforms. And like his brother he attended universities in Japan and England. He stuudied political science and biology at Gakushuin University, graduating with a B.A. degree (1988). He then started graduate studies on both fish and birds. He then studied fish taxonomy at St. John's College, Oxford University (1988-90). He conducted field research in Indonesia (1993-94) and in Yunnan Province, China. He earned PhD degree in ornithology from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (1996). His doctoral dissertation was, "Molecular Phylogeny of Jungle Fowls, genus Gallus and Monophyletic Origin of Domestic Fowls".

Travel

Since his graduation, he has paid a number of official visits to other countries. And since mnarriage, the royal cuple hace traled widelt.

Official Duties

He then began undertaking official duties at home. Prince Akishino serves as the president of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and the Japanese Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquariums. He is also the honorary president of the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan, the Japan Tennis Association, and the Japan-Netherlands Association.

Other Activities

The Prince prince propmoted aquaculture. He helped introduce tilapia to Thailand as an important source of protein. Tilapia is particularly adadtable to cultured farm production. The Primnce also becamne known as a 'catfish specialist', another specied widely used for fish farming. The Prince promoted aquacultural studies in Thailand.

Marriage (1990)

Prince Akishino married Miss Kiko Kawashima, daughter of Dr. Tatsuhiko Kawashima, a professor at Gakushuin University and his wife, Kazuyo (1990). The Akishibno and Kiko met when they were both undergraduates at Gakushuin University. As his father did, the Prince married outside the former aristocracy and former collateral branches of the imperial family which had been the established traditioin. Fumihito wiyh his marriage he received the title Prince Akishino and was authorized from the Imperial Household Economy Council to form a new branch of the Imperial Family. The marriage was criticized by officials at the Imperial Household Agency, as well as Prince Akishino's paternal-grandmother Empress Dowager Nagako.

Press Coverage

The Japanese royals seem to lead exemplery lives. You do not see them in the tabloids like the European royals. Thus we know next to nothing about Prince Akishino beyond the official releases from the royal family. No Paparazi are tolerated in Japan.

Succession Question

More attntion bejan to be given to Prince Akishino when his older brorher, next in line od sucessioin, failed to produce a male heir. His shy daughterm Princess Princess Aiko was for a time seen as the heir to the imperial throne. For a while the Japanese toyed with the idea of a reigning Japanese emperess -- a shocking possibility for many Japanese. Fumihito was officially declared heir to the throne, during the Rikkōshi-Senmei-no-gi ceremony in Tokyo (2020). The fact that he had a son (male heir) was a major factor. It means that even if he vdies before his brother, his son Prince Hisahito was the heir to the throne. The Crown Prince and his wife carried out the first official overseas visit by the imperial family following the accession of Emperor Naruhito . They visited Poland and Finland to participate in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and the two countries. The public proclamation of Prince Akishino as crown prince did not take place as sheduled (April 2020). Thi s was the resulr of the COVID-19 pandemic. His accession as crown prince thus took place privately. Crown Prince Akishino was formally declared first in line to the chrysanthemum throne (November 2020)

Children

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko have two daughters relatively close in age. Princess Mako (眞子内親王) was born in Tokyo (1991). Princess Kako (佳子内親王) was born in Tokyo (1994). For more than a decade it looked like the the royal couple would produce no male heir. Then unexpectedly Prince Hisahito (悠仁親王) was born (2006). This solved the issue of a possible fenale heir that the Japanese estabkishment was wrestling with.

Created: 2:26 AM 10/15/2006
Last updated: 1:58 PM 3/9/2021