Japan's crown prince hopes to continue father's legacy

Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito says he hopes to continue the close relationship his father built with the people when he succeeds him as emperor later this year.

Naruhito, who turns 59 on Saturday, will ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1 after Emperor Akihito abdicates.

"I feel very solemn when I think about the future," he said at an annual pre-birthday news conference Thursday. His remarks were embargoed from publication until Saturday.

In this Feb. 17, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito poses for a photo at his residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

"While I continue to prepare for this role, I would like to maintain the past emperors' work. I would like to think about the people and pray for the people," he said.

His wife, Masako will also assume a new role as empress. The former diplomat has suffered from stress and has often skipped public events, and it's unclear how she will manage her new role as empress.

"Although Masako is steadily recovering, her condition still fluctuates. I would like Masako to continue to slowly widen her contribution in her role," Naruhito said, adding he hopes to support his wife just as she has supported him.

In this Feb. 17, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako pose for a photo at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

Naruhito's younger brother, Prince Akishino, and his family are also expected to play a major role. The Japanese throne is only inherited by male heirs, and Naruhito's only child is a daughter. Prince Akishino and his young son Hisahito are next in the line of succession after Naruhito.

Akihito's desire to leave the throne revived a debate about the country's 2,000-year-old monarchy, one of the world's oldest, as well as discussion about improving the status of female members of the shrinking royal population.

"This problem will relate to the imperial family of the future. I would like to refrain from giving any opinions on the system," the crown prince said.

In this June 26, 2018, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Price Naruhito, right, guides Rio Paralympics women's T12 marathon silver medalist Misato Michishita as they run together at Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

Those who are concerned about the future of the royal family with shrinking membership want to allow women to ascend the throne and others to keep their royal status so they can keep performing public duties, but a government panel has avoided the divisive issue.

Even before the 1947 Imperial Law, reigning empresses were rare, usually serving as stand-ins for a few years until a suitable male can be installed. The last reigning empress was Gosakuramachi, who assumed the throne in 1763.

Debate over the succession law, however, is emotional. Some conservatives proposed a revival of concubines to produce imperial heirs, and others argued that allowing a woman on the throne would destroy a precious Japanese tradition.

In this June 26, 2018, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Price Naruhito guides Rio Paralympics women's T12 marathon silver medalist Misato Michishita as they run together at Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 21, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito speaks to journalists during his press conference at his residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 21, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito speaks to journalists during his press conference at his residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 17, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako pose at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 17, 2019, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako read the information on the national youth book report competition at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 17, 2019 photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako read the information on the national youth book report competition at their residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this Feb. 17, 2019 photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito poses for a photo at his residence Togu Palace in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this June 26, 2018, photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Crown Price Naruhito, right, guides Rio Paralympics women's T12 marathon silver medalist Misato Michishita, left, as they run together at Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo. Naruhito celebrates his 59th birthday on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019. (Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 3, 2025--

WSFS Bank, the primary subsidiary of WSFS Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: WSFS), announced today more than 1,600 WSFS Associates volunteered at more than 130 community organizations across the region as part of WSFS’ third annual We Stand for Service Day.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251002990397/en/

Associates volunteered more than 5,500 hours across the bank’s footprint in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey on Wednesday, October 1, during the company-wide day of giving back through volunteerism.

“At WSFS, We Stand for Service Day is a cornerstone of our commitment to the communities we serve. It’s a day where our Associates come together to make a meaningful impact, volunteering at dozens of organizations to support causes close to our hearts,” said Justin Dunn, WSFS Chief Community Impact Officer. “This day embodies our mission to strengthen our communities, and it’s a powerful reminder of the difference we can make when we work together. We’re proud to dedicate this time to giving back and living out our values in action.”

"We could not provide the over 300,000 packages of basic essentials for children without the dedicated and caring volunteers from corporations like WSFS who understand the importance of supporting the communities where they do business," said Michal Smith, Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia.

"Volunteers are the heart and soul of our mission to eliminate hunger,” said Cathy Kanefsky, President and CEO of The Food Bank of Delaware. “We are deeply grateful to WSFS for their unwavering support, not just through financial contributions, but through the hands-on dedication of their Associates. Days like We Stand for Service Day are a testament to the power of collective volunteerism, enabling us to distribute millions of pounds across Delaware.”

“WSFS Bank’s Associates are making a major impact as we distribute up to 100,000 children’s books each month,” said Larry Abrams, Founder and Executive Director of BookSmiles. “Volunteers not only keep books out of landfills but open doors to learning and imagination for children and families across New Jersey and Philadelphia."

Photos and additional information from We Stand for Service Day’s events can be found here.

About WSFS Financial Corporation

WSFS Financial Corporation is a multibillion-dollar financial services company. Its primary subsidiary, WSFS Bank, is the oldest and largest locally headquartered bank and wealth management franchise in the Greater Philadelphia and Delaware region. As of June 30, 2025, WSFS Financial Corporation had $20.8 billion in assets on its balance sheet and $92.4 billion in assets under management and administration. WSFS operates from 115 offices, 88 of which are banking offices, located in Pennsylvania (58), Delaware (39), New Jersey (14), Florida (2), Nevada (1) and Virginia (1) and provides comprehensive financial services including commercial banking, consumer banking, treasury management, and trust and wealth management. Other subsidiaries or divisions include Arrow Land Transfer, Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, LLC, Bryn Mawr Trust ®, The Bryn Mawr Trust Company of Delaware, Cash Connect ®, NewLane Finance ®, WSFS Wealth Management, LLC, WSFS Institutional Services ®, and WSFS Mortgage ®. Serving the Greater Delaware Valley since 1832, WSFS Bank is one of the ten oldest banks in the United States continuously operating under the same name. For more information, please visit www.wsfsbank.com.

WSFS Associates volunteer as part of We Stand For Service Day on October 1, 2025.