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Birthday boy

32 Comments

Prince Hisahito is flanked by his sisters Princess Mako, left, and Princess Kako in the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo. Hisahito had his 6th birthday on Thursday. Prince Hisahito is third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and his father Prince Akishino.

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32 Comments
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Oh my god, Hisahito is the cutest!!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Mako has the imperial smile down just right, Kako still looks a bit too "normal". Hisahito's genuine smile suggests he still has no idea what they have planned for him.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Happy bday to the lad. I don't go in for all this bloodline nonsense - they are just normal people the same as the Watanabe's next door to me. The sisters are cute. Wonder if they will ever get up to some prince Harry style antics?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Without the caption, I would have never guessed they were royalty.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I just couldn't feel worse for this cute little kid and the horrific future that awaits him

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Nice looking family

0 ( +1 / -1 )

third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne after Crown Prince Naruhito and his father Prince Akishino.

Not sure I follow this. When Crown Prince Naruhito takes the throne and then leaves it, who becomes the emperor, Prince Akishino or Hisahito? This is because Naruhito has no sons is that correct?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Princess Kako is presently in Scotland studying at the University of Edinburgh.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Correct.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Princess Kako is cute! Yes I know she is 17, get you're minds out the gutter.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@Jaymann

I just couldn't feel worse for this cute little kid and the horrific future that awaits him

Horrific future? What horrific future? Are they going to sacrifice him? Will he be launched into space on a giant balloon in the shape of AKB48's leader at the time? I would never have thought the life of a pampered royal was horrific. Yes, they are in the public eye, but the Japanese royals are pretty much shielded... certainly more so than our Queen's family.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The young women must love being viewed as lesser beings becuas eof their sex. Which century is this?

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Poor Aiko. Ever since this little guy was born, she's been categorically ignored.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Happy birthday little prince!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Are they going to sacrifice him?

Yes.

Yes, they are in the public eye, but the Japanese royals are pretty much shielded...

What they need shielding from is the Chunaicho - the dinosaurs who do the 'shielding' and decide what it is 'fitting' for a royal to do and/or think. The ladies who marry into the family tend to have problems 'adjusting' - those born into it have no chance.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

happy bday to you little boy .. :) grow up healthy .. stay strong .. :) more bday to come and stay healthy ... live long ... :) study hard .. :) Tanjoubi omedetou.. :)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Surprised they didn't take the photo with the chrysanthemums - still, the Imperial herb garden's looking particularly fine at this time of year

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Wow, the little guy looks TINY next to his two sisters -- and I'm not saying they look big, either. But of course, he's only six to the day. Bute smile, and I hope he keeps that innocence and what looks like happiness as he gets older and his life is quickly taken over. Happy birthday, young man!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

He is such a cute boy!!! Happy Birthday, Hisahito kun!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Princess Kako is kind of cute and has kind of an iyarashii air about her.

No, they won't get up to any antics, and yes they will be sacrificed, Thunderbird.

The kind of constraints and life-running these ppl are subjected to by their handlers is really over the top. They are nothing like the Euro royals who are pampered, and while brought up to show a certain public face, are really free to do things and enjoy their riches and their positions as well as play the public role of their positions.

Good luck, kids. I say stay in Scotland.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Seeing this picture I felt a bit, old.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Why are people voting down comments saying that the little boy is cute (he is) and happy birthday to him? Man. Don't blame him for being born into old fashioned politics as a misogynist political tool. He's just a little kid! I'm still pro Aiko, but let the little guy enjoy his birthday.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I've heard something like 9 out of 10 requests by the various royals are turned down by Imperial Household Agency. Simple stuff like being able to call old friends or get coffee are turned down. They have no choices at all. Can't even pick out what they wear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Nice bunch of kids. Happy Birthday! I really hope that Willis' rumors aren't true. That would be too much like being in a aquarium for any person to bear.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Princess Kako is presently in Scotland studying at the University of Edinburgh.

Wrong, CrazyJoe, I think you'll find that it is Mako who is in Edinburgh

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120804b3.html

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Good luck in this information age, every move will be documented and the world is watching you one way or another. I would rather be a venture start up billionaire than be part of a perceived hereditary royalty blood line.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Happy B-day, little guy!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Happy B-day young prince

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I bet he gets hell from his sisters. it saddens me though that the imperial household lackies will turn their lives into a living hell.ie.masako san

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Thunderbird - Living a life utterly ruled by irrelevance, unable to follow a personal path, being a drain on the taxpayer and being the object of scorn for far more people than the reverse. That sounds pretty horrific to me. But hey... if hereditary rulers is your thing then more power to you I guess.... Royalty is completely meaningless in the modern world and just brings more disharmony than benefit.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Jaymann,

I don't believe they are subject to the same kind of mockery the Brit etc royals are. Most Japanse have a mildly favorable attitude toward the Imperial family. They are a symbol of an old time in their society.

Remember, unlike the Euro royals, they have been total figureheads for like 1000 yrs, with little/ no say in direct governance in that time. Which also means they have not executed anyone or started any wars which means resentment against them has not built up for centuries. They are a flag that was passed from Shogun to Shogun as they warred w/ ea other. Also, they are descended from deities.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

O-tanjoubi omedetou ...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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