Prince Hisahito celebrates third

Prince Hisahito, the son of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, has been growing in good health and turned 3 years old Sunday.

Birthday boy: Prince Hisahito poses for a photo in Tokyo earlier this month. KYODO PHOTO

As of Friday, Prince Hisahito, the Imperial family's first male heir in 41 years, weighed 13.6 kg and was 94 cm tall, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Under the male-only succession law, Prince Hisahito is third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne behind Crown Prince Naruhito, 49, Emperor Akihito's eldest son, and Prince Akishino, 43, his second son.

Prince Hisahito enjoys lively activities, like riding a tricycle from his elder sister Kako, playing ball and chasing, and has gradually become able to eat and change clothes by himself, the agency said.

His parents affectionately call him "Yuyu," "Yu-chan" and "Hisahito-kun," it said.