Tokyo: Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's successor will be chosen during a session of parliament to be convened on October 1. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect its next president on September 27. Both houses of parliament are controlled by the LDP and its coalition partner Komeito, so the selection of the prime minister is considered a mere formality.

The government is preparing the schedule, which will be finalised by Kishida's Cabinet at the end of September. According to the report, if the next prime minister decides to dissolve the House of Representatives soon after being elected, the earliest date for a snap election would be October 27, and if the new leader seeks time, the next possible date is November 10.

Fumio Kishida is stepping down at the end of his three-year term later this month, as a funding scandal has hurt voters' confidence in the ruling party.

After 40 years, someone in the royal family became an adult in Japan

The rapidly aging and declining population in Japan has also affected the royal family. Prince Hisahito of Japan turned 18 on Friday. After 40 years, it was the first time in the royal family that someone became an adult. It was an important day for the family.

Hisahito is the nephew of Japanese Emperor Naruhito. His father, Crown Prince Akishino, was the last to reach adulthood in 1985. Hisahito is the youngest of the 17-member full-time adult imperial family, which currently has only four men. His status as the last heir apparent is a major problem for a system that does not allow empresses.

The 1947 Imperial House Law allows only a male to ascend the throne. Naruhito is the emperor. His brother Akishino is second in line to the throne. Akishino's son Hisahito is next in line.