Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fumihito
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| Crown Prince Akishino | |
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Fumihito in 2016
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| Born | Fumihito, Prince Aya (礼宮文仁親王) 30 November 1965 Imperial Household Agency Hospital, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan |
| Spouse |
Kiko Kawashima
(m. 1990) |
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| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Akihito |
| Mother | Michiko Shōda |
| Religion | Shinto |
| Signature |  |
Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino (秋篠宮皇嗣文仁親王, Akishino-no-miya Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō, born 30 November 1965) is the heir presumptive to the Japanese throne. This means he is next in line to become Emperor after his older brother. He is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito. His parents are Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
Since he got married in June 1990, he has been known as Prince Akishino (秋篠宮, Akishino-no-miya). He also leads his own part of the imperial family. Fumihito has a degree in political science and a PhD in ornithology (the study of birds).
In 1990, he married Kiko Kawashima. They have three children: Mako, Kako, and Hisahito. In November 2020, Fumihito was officially named heir presumptive. This happened during a special ceremony in Tokyo.
As active members of the imperial family, Fumihito and his wife Kiko have a busy schedule. They attend important meetings and global events. They often represent Japan's imperial family at ceremonies with leaders from other countries.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Fumihito was born on November 30, 1965, in Tokyo. His childhood nickname was Prince Aya. He went to the primary and secondary schools of Gakushūin. He also played tennis during his school years.
In April 1984, Prince Fumihito started studying at Gakushuin University. He focused on law and biological science. After getting his degree in political science, he went to St John's College, Oxford in the United Kingdom. There, he studied how to classify fish. He was in the UK from October 1988 to June 1990.
When his grandfather, Emperor Shōwa, passed away in January 1989, Fumihito became second in line to the throne. His older brother, Crown Prince Naruhito, was first.
The prince earned a PhD degree in ornithology in October 1996. His special research was about the family tree of jungle fowls. He also studied domestic chickens. He did research in Indonesia and Yunnan Province in China.
Fumihito is also known as a "catfish specialist." He has worked to continue and expand studies about raising fish with people in Thailand. He has also been a researcher at The University Museum at The University of Tokyo.
Marriage and Children
On June 29, 1990, Fumihito married Kiko Kawashima. She is the daughter of Tatsuhiko Kawashima, an economics professor.
The couple met when they were both students at Gakushuin University. Like his father, Fumihito married someone who was not from the traditional noble families. After his marriage, he received the title Prince Akishino. He was also allowed to start a new branch of the Imperial Family.
Children
Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino have two daughters and one son:
- Mako Komuro (小室 眞子, Komuro Mako, born October 23, 1991). She was formerly known as Princess Mako. After marrying Kei Komuro in October 2021, Mako gave up her imperial title. She left the Imperial Family as required by Japanese law.
- Princess Kako of Akishino (佳子内親王, Kako Naishinnō, born December 29, 1994)
- Prince Hisahito of Akishino (悠仁親王, Hisahito Shinnō, born September 6, 2006)
Royal Duties and Public Life
Fumihito holds several important positions. He is the president of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. He also leads the Japanese Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquariums. He is an honorary president for organizations like the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan. He also supports the Japan Tennis Association.
The prince and princess have made many official visits to other countries. In June 2002, they were the first imperial family members to visit Mongolia. This trip celebrated 30 years of diplomatic relations. They also visited the Netherlands for funerals of royal family members. In September 2003, they made goodwill visits to Fiji, Tonga, and Samoa. These were also first-time visits for the Imperial Family.
From October to November 2006, they visited Paraguay. This trip marked 70 years of Japanese people moving to that country. In January 2008, they visited Indonesia. This was for a ceremony celebrating 50 years of diplomatic ties.
The prince and princess visited several European countries in May 2009. These included Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. They also visited the Netherlands again in August 2009. This was to celebrate 400 years of trade between Japan and the Netherlands. They have also traveled to Costa Rica, Uganda, Croatia, and Peru.
Fumihito also took on public duties when the Emperor was in the hospital. He and other imperial family members visited areas affected by the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011. In June and July 2014, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visited Zambia and Tanzania.
When his father decided to step down as Emperor, Fumihito became heir presumptive on April 30, 2019. This was allowed by a new law. Fumihito suggested that the imperial family should pay for religious rituals during the Emperor's enthronement. He believed this should not use public money.
In June and July 2019, the Crown Prince and his wife made their first official overseas visit. This was after Emperor Naruhito became Emperor. They visited Poland and Finland. In August 2019, the couple and their son, Hisahito, visited Bhutan.
The official public announcement of Fumihito as Crown Prince was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It took place privately first. On November 8, 2020, Fumihito was formally declared first in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. During the ceremony, he said he would "carry out my duties by deeply acknowledging my responsibilities as crown prince."
His older brother, when he was Crown Prince, used the title Kōtaishi (Crown Prince). However, Prince Akishino chose the title Kōshi (Imperial Heir) instead. This was because he was not raised as the Crown Prince like his older brother.
Titles and Honors
Titles and Styles
- November 30, 1965 – June 28, 1990: His Imperial Highness Prince Aya
- June 29, 1990 – April 30, 2019: His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino
- May 1, 2019 – present: His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akishino
Honors from Other Countries
Italy: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Netherlands: Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown
Peru: Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun
Spain: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
Paraguay: Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit
Honorary Degrees
Fumihito has received many honorary degrees from universities, mostly in Thailand, for his work in biology and agriculture:
- Doctor of Fishery Biology (Kasetsart University, 1995)
- Doctor of Science (Burapha University, 1995)
- Doctor of Fisheries (Khon Kaen University, 1999)
- Doctor of Science (Srinakharinwirot University, 2001)
- Doctor of Science (Chulalongkorn University, 2001)
- Doctor of Agriculture (Ubon Ratchathani University, 2003)
- Doctor of Fisheries Science (King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, 2007)
- Doctor of Animal Science (Kasetsart University, 2011)
- Doctor of Human and Environment Management (Chiang Mai University, 2011)
- Doctor of Science (Agricultural Technology) (Thammasat University, 2012)
- Doctor of Biology (Mahasarakham University, 2018)
Honorary Positions
Fumihito holds many honorary roles, often related to his interests in animals and nature:
- Member of the Imperial House Council
- President of Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
- President of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums
- Patron of the Society for the Protection of Mitera Sennyuji
- Patron of the Social Welfare Organization "Saiseikai" Imperial Gift Foundation Inc.
- Patron of the Agricultural Society of Japan
- Patron of the Japan Forestry Association
- Patron of the Japan Association of Botanical Gardens
- Patron of the Foundation for Academic Specimens of Domesticated Animals
- Honorary President of World Wide Fund for Nature Japan
- Honorary Patron of the Japan-Netherlands Society
- Honorary Patron of Association for All Nippon Gourd Fanciers
- Honorary President of Japan Water Prize Committee
- Honorary President of the Waksman Foundation of Japan INC
- Honorary Vice President of the Siam Society
- Researcher Extraordinary of the University Museum, the University of Tokyo
- Guest professor of Tokyo University of Agriculture
- Honorary Associate of the Australian Museum
