By love-89.com Japanese Prince Hisahito, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, finds himself at the center of controversy as public scrutiny intensifies around his family. Back in 2020, the renovation of their residence caused a significant uproar due to its exorbitant cost of 4.4 billion yen. Furthermore, his cousin, Mako Komuro, drew criticism after her marriage. Now, speculation is swirling that Prince Hisahito, who is second in line to the throne, is considering applying to the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Agriculture through a recommendation process, raising concerns about potential favoritism in his admissions.
With Emperor Naruhito having only one daughter, his younger brother, Prince Fumihito, is first in line, placing Hisahito as second. Reports indicate that Princess Kiko, Fumihito’s wife, is eager for her son to become the first emperor to graduate from the University of Tokyo and is actively facilitating this ambition.
According to Japanese media, Hisahito is currently enrolled at Tsukuba University High School, and as he approaches his senior year, his future is attracting considerable attention. Allegedly, he has a strong interest in biology and had the rare opportunity to co-author a research paper on dragonflies alongside a prominent researcher from the National Museum of Nature and Science last year, even participating in international academic conferences. However, despite these efforts, he has not performed as well in humanities, mathematics, or comprehension tests compared to his peers, revealing a noticeable gap in his overall academic performance.
This raises concerns about his chances of gaining admission to his preferred Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo through standard entrance exams, which could be challenging for him. In contrast, the recommendation process may serve as a more feasible path, focusing more on interviews and documentation.
As Hisahito gears up for his upcoming school year, his summer has been distinctly busy. He participated in official duties in Gifu Prefecture on July 31 and is set to attend the 48th National High School Cultural Festival alongside his parents. Additionally, he is expected to take part in the autumn festival in November, which diminishes the usual stress that exam candidates often experience. Consequently, many are speculating about his favorable odds of gaining admission through the recommendation system.
His first choice remains the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo, with the application deadline approaching on November 6. The entrance exams are slated for January 18, spanning two days, requiring him to achieve a minimum score of 800 out of 1000 to qualify for admission.
Critics have raised concerns about the introduction of the recommendation admission system at Tokyo University nine years ago, suggesting it may have been implemented with Hisahito in mind. Should he successfully navigate this process, he could face backlash regarding “doorway admissions” or accusations of taking spots away from other aspiring students.