Prince Hisahito, the only son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, attended his first news conference on Monday during which he vowed to fulfill his role as an adult member of the imperial family.

"I hope to carry out my role as a member of the imperial family with the awareness of being an adult member," the prince, who is second in line to the throne, said at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo.

Hisahito began by referring to a forest fire raging in the city of Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture, saying, "I'd like to express my heartfelt sympathy to those who were affected."

He said the emperor, as the symbol of the country, should always think of the people, echoing the views of his grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, and his uncle, Emperor Naruhito.

Regarding the role of the imperial family, the prince highlighted the importance of being aware of people's daily lives and social conditions.

It is customary for imperial family members to hold a news conference when they reach adulthood. However, Hisahito's news conference was delayed after he turned 18 last September due to his preparations to enter a university.

His coming-of-age ceremony will be held on Sept. 6, which falls on his 19th birthday.

Hisahito said that he heard "indescribably harrowing" stories from war survivors when he visited Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Okinawa prefectures. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"I'll continue to think about peace by reading books and visiting related places," the prince said.

Meanwhile, Hisahito touts his ability to "devoutly pursue" his fields of interest as his strength. For example, the prince said that he started watching dragonflies in a forest and near a pond at midday on a certain summer day and became so engrossed in his observation that he forgot the time and the sun had set.

He said that he has been interested in insects since he was young, adding that his interests have recently expanded to include plants.

Hisahito is slated to enroll in the University of Tsukuba's school of life and environmental sciences this spring. The prince is currently in his third and final year at the university's senior high school in Tokyo.

Explaining why he chose the academic field, the prince said that he was attracted to the school because it offers courses that allow students to learn by "interacting directly with organisms." He voiced his hope to study hard and also engage in extracurricular activities.

The prince also shared anecdotes about each member of his family, including one about his father's cooking.