Japan's royal family feud: How a rift has grown between the new Emperor and his younger brother, beginning when they studied at Oxford
- Japan crowned new Emperor Naruhito this week after father Akihito abdicated
- Before ceremony even took place, signs of a rift emerged with brother Akishino
- Breaking with royal protocol, Akishino insisted the royals themselves pay for the coronation, despite the government already agreeing to foot the bill
- Akishino, who is now first in line to the throne, has history of spats with Naruhito
To see Prince Akishino and his brother Naruhito at the enthronement ceremony at Japan's Imperial Palace this week - dressed in matching suits, walking in step, one behind the other - it would be difficult to imagine a rift between them.
But in fact, just months earlier, Akishino had risked offending his older sibling when he broke with protocol to suggest that the royal family should pay for part of the ceremonies itself, despite the government already fronting the money.
The indiscretion may have been small, but in fact it belies a history of friction between the two men who are now Japan's Emperor and first in line to the throne.
Prince Akishino and Crown Prince Naruhito (left this week, right in 1990) have a long history of friction between them, dating back to their time at university
The two princes are pictured playing at the Togu Palace in Tokyo, Japan, in 1967 in front of their parents, who at the time were Crown Prince Akihito and and Crown Princess Michiko
Naruhito, left, and Akishino, right, wearing their new school uniforms in the grounds of Togu Palace in 1972. It was their later education that would set the two at odds
Prince Naruhito (far left) began studying at Oxford University in the UK in 1983 and documents show that Akishino (right, in red) wanted to go there as well, but was initially turned down
The rift dates back until at least the 1980s, when British diplomatic cables seen by The Telegraph reveal they butted heads over which university they would attend.
Naruhito, five years older than his brother, was already studying at Oxford's Merton College at the time, where spent three years and produced a thesis entitled A Study of Navigation and Traffic on the Upper Thames in the 18th Century.
During that time he also played tennis - seeded third out of five on the Oxford team - was taught golf, explored Europe, climbed the highest peaks in Scotland, Wales and England, and met much of the British Royal Family.
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According to diplomatic cables, Naruhito was 'taken with the British way of life' and believed the trip had 'helped to widen his horizons'.
But the same cables also describe 'battles' within the Japanese royal household about Akishino's future.
Wanting the same opportunities as his brother, Akishino - who is regarded as less academically gifted - requested to study at Oxford but was turned down.
Crown Prince Akihito (left) and Prince Naruhito (centre) pose for photographs with Princess Sayako (second left), Crown Princess Michiko (second right) and Prince Akishino (right)
Prince Akishino and Prince Naruhito stand alongside parents Akihito and Michiko as they watch New Year celebrations in Japan in 1986, three years before Akihito became Emperor
Japan's Princess Sayako, Empress Michiko, Emperor Akihito, Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Akishino look at Prince and Princess Akishino's elder daughter Mako in a family photo taken at the Imperial Palace in 1992
Prince Akishino (far left) and Prince Naruhito (second right) pose for another family photograph, this time taken in 2006
Prince Naruhito (second left) and Prince Akishino (second right) sit around Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in a photo taken in 2017
But after some in-fighting the Imperial Household Agency relented and he was allowed to attend the university between 1988 and 1990, when he studied the taxonomy of fish.
Then, in 1990, Akishino caused another upset within the royal household when he suddenly proposed to his college sweetheart - Kiko Kawashima, who he met as an undergraduate at Gakushuin University - at a crosswalk in Tokyo.
According to the New York Times, family chamberlains had been eager for Naruhito to marry first, being first in line to the throne.
But, as that prospect looked unlikely - Naruhito would not marry until three years later, to Masako Owada - he jumped the gun, apparently tired of waiting.
Then, in November 2018, Akishino undercut his brother again.
In a speech to commemorate his 53rd birthday, Akishino said that the royal family should pay for a ceremony known as Daijosai, the first communion that the new emperor performs with Shinto gods.
Because the ceremony is highly religious, and Japan's constitution enshrines a separation of church and state, he argued that the royal family should pay for it.
Another point of friction between the two men comes because Akishino's son, Prince Hisahito (centre), will likely inherit the throne one day because Naruhito failed to produce a male heir
Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko (pictured arriving at the enthronement ceremony this week) have also been forced to take on royal duties from Naruhito's wife, Masako, because she suffers from a nervous condition
Naruhito delivers his first speech as Emperor on Wednesday, watched by brother Akishino, standing to the left of the stage
The cost for the last ceremony was estimated to be around $27million, according to ABC, though the government is expected to spend less this time around.
Noriko Hama, a professor at Doshisha University, told The Telegraph: 'Prince Akishino is not cooperating with his brother and is shunning the enthronement process.
'He seems to be a destabilising force and appears to have an axe to grind with his brother.
'He also seems to want to make himself conspicuous and it would appear to be a classic case of a family feud within the imperial household that is almost Shakespearian.'
Professor Hama believes part of the resentment comes because Akishino is given relatively little say in the affairs of the royal family, despite his son - Prince Hisahito - likely being the next emperor.
Naruhito, already 59 years old, has only one child - a daughter named Aiko - and by law the throne can only pass to a male heir.
Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko have also been forced to fill in for now-Empress Masako at various functions since she suffers from a nervous disorder, brought on by the pressures of court life.
