Prince Hisahito turns 20 as Japan's government reinforces male-only succession rules

TOKYO (AP) — Prince Hisahito turned 20 on Sunday as he faces growing attention as a future monarch in Japan following the government's unpopular revision to the Imperial House Law that reinforces male-only succession rules.

Hisahito, the nephew of Emperor Naruhito, is second in line to Japan's 1,500-year-old Chrysanthemum Throne and the youngest of 16 members of the rapidly shrinking and aging imperial family.

The child who loved animals and bugs, especially dragonflies, is now a sophomore majoring in biology at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo. He has been often spotted on campus with friends, sometimes carrying a bug-catching net or on his bicycle.

While he mostly concentrates on his studies, Hisahito started taking on some official duties. He attended a palace banquet for Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in May, prayed for the atomic bombing victims in Hiroshima and joined a teenagers' camp in the southwestern Japanese city in August.

Hisahito is often compared to his hugely popular cousin, 24-year-old Princess Aiko, who has impressed everyone with her ability to interact with people and make them smile. She is the emperor's daughter and most Japanese want her to be his successor, even though as a woman she is ineligible.

The revised succession law enacted by Japan's Parliament in July lifts a ban on the adoption of male offspring from extremely distant former royal families. It lets female royals keep their status after marrying a commoner, so they can continue to undertake official duties, but their future partners and offspring won't be royals.

The revisions to the 19th-century law have been criticized as anachronistic and sexist and led to protests from Japanese who see the changes, which were backed by conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, as an attempt to eliminate Aiko from ruling while justifying discrimination against women and a patriarchal system.

Experts say the measures will put Hisahito and his eventual wife under enormous pressure to bear a male child as they determine the future of the imperial family.

Asked about his future and marriage plans at his debut news conference last year, Hisahito said his main focus was to study and expressed hopes to spend some time overseas to gain new perspectives and meet people from different backgrounds and cultures.

“About marriage, I haven't thought about an ideal timing or a partner yet,” he said.

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Prince Hisahito, right, visits the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his 20th birthday on Sept. 6, 2026. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Prince Hisahito visits the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his 20th birthday on Sept. 6, 2026. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Prince Hisahito, right, visits the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his 20th birthday on Sept. 6, 2026. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Prince Hisahito, right, visits the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his 20th birthday on Sept. 6, 2026. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

In this photo provided by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Japan's Prince Hisahito, right, visits the Science Museum of Map and Survey in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture, Japan, on Aug. 13, 2026, ahead of his 20th birthday on Sept. 6, 2026. (The Imperial Household Agency of Japan via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled pitcher Emmet Sheehan as part of a series of roster moves Sunday, with the right-hander set to handle the bulk of their series finale against the San Francisco Giants.

All four transactions involved Dodgers pitchers. They also recalled Kyle Hurt, placed Tarik Skubal on the bereavement list and optioned Seth Halvorsen to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Jack Dreyer will start as the Dodgers go for the sweep against their Bay Area rivals before giving way to Sheehan, who is 5-8 with a 4.79 ERA in 22 games this season.

“Kind of piecing through the available options today,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think it's just more of what gives Emmet, in our opinion, the best chance.”

Right fielder Kyle Tucker won't be in the lineup after coming out of Saturday's 10-4 victory because of a fouled pitch that went off his right knee. The early exit was described as precautionary, and Roberts felt it was worth giving him a day off, particularly with Tucker finding his stride after an erratic first season in Los Angeles. He is batting .429 with five homers, eight extra-base hits and 11 RBIs in his past 10 games.

The Dodgers expect to see Shohei Ohtani back soon after his first stint on the injured list since joining the team in 2024. It could come during a three-game series against the San Diego Padres that starts Tuesday night. “Still up in the air, but that’s our hope,” Roberts said.

Ohtani is on the 15-day IL with right biceps inflammation. He also has been dealing with left knee soreness for months.

Roberts believes Ohtani will be pain-free going into the last week of the regular season, with the Dodgers pushing to secure a bye to avoid the wild-card round.

“I think there's a difference between discomfort and pain,” Roberts said. “Is it 100%? Probably not. Is it better than it was a week ago? Yes. Honestly, I think that's just a better question for Shohei to give specifics. But I do think that when he's activated, it's going to be the best physical place he's been in in quite some time.”

See AP’s full MLB coverage here

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, center, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, right, congratulate Mookie Betts after the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants in a baseball game Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)