Hisahito: Prince behind Chrysanthemum Curtain

 

The Komuro Affair and Hisahito

 

This time I talk about Prince Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino, at second place in succession to the throne.

And this may be related to Komuro problem, since not small number of people here believes that Mako and Komuro hold some secret about IHA or Akishino family, and this is why they can promote their marriage despite all criticisms. In that case, the most likely secret is that about Hisahito.

Also, this is an important topic if you have conversation about JIF with your Japanese business partner. You have to act as well-informed. It could explain the background of “85% favor for female emperor” to some extent.

Memo to Tie Up Press

Hisahito has been perfectly raised behind the “chrysanthemum curtain”.
His coverage has been strongly ‘tied up’ by the Imperial Household Agency using a ‘memo’ distributed to the press two years after his birth. Being never reported in newspapers, it was revealed in the book “Journalism Collapse" by journalist Takashi Uesugi for the first time.

https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4344980883

(Note: Uesugi has also been reported to have a female scandal in recent years, but that has nothing to do with this topic.)

What IHA requested to the press is shared in pp.74-80 of this book.
I don’t quote long, in short, His Highness Hisahito's photography and coverage were limited to a few times a year on very limited occasions.

It also imposes severe penalties.

All media organizations are requested to refrain from interviewing or filming the children of the Akishino family, as well as from broadcasting or reporting on them using video images, except in the cases described above.

For the time being, the Imperial Household Agency will not provide any favors to media organizations that have committed acts contrary to the above. The period of time will be determined by the Imperial Household Agency, taking into consideration the nature of the violation and the type of coverage. (quoted from p.80 of the book above)

Mr.Uesugi, the author, considers this memo as a sign of the IHA's arrogance.
Why is IHA so nervous about Hisahito, even though he is the only male heir among the younger generation of the imperial family?

Prince behind Chrysanthemum Curtain

Anyway, therefore, Hisahito was raised almost secretly with very limited pictures and episodes provided in his childhood, unlike other children in IF, such as Princess Aiko. Even though he is a child who will become the future emperor, there is little information about him.

Sometimes IHA announces Hisahito’s ‘works’, such as wonderful and luxurious bonsai, precise paper work, but no pictures to demonstrate he made them by himself were provided.

There is no evidence to indicate what kind of boy he is, but I know many mothers who say “I know a child who acts and looks like him.”

Prince Emmanuel of Belgium has been revealed to have autism and attends a special medical school from elementary school.

OTOH, Prince Hisahito enrolled in Ochanomizu University Kindergarten, Elementary School and Junior High School, where usually students with excellent academic ability are admitted. This is supposed to come from his mother's connection because his mother Kiko was an Honorary Research Fellow at Ochanomizu University.

He is graduating from junior high school in next spring and cannot attend Ochanomizu Univ. High School for this is a girl’s high school, so his destination is sometimes talked about. He got a prize in “12th Children’s Nonfiction Literature Awards”, it can be advantageous for entering famous high school.  

Two years ago, at Ochanomizu University Junior High School, an intruder thrust a knife into the desk of Hisahito in the classroom, so there is a possibility of going to Gakushuuin High School, where the IF has traditionally attended and there is no concern about security.