Photo/Illutration Princess Kako, right, communicates in sign language with a participant in the 10th national high school sign language performance competition in Tottori on Sept. 23 as Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai, center left, looks on. (Pool)

Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, has the novel coronavirus, the Imperial Household Agency announced Sept. 24.

She is the ninth imperial family member to contract the virus. 

Japan is now in the grip of the ninth wave of COVID-19 with hospitals across the nation reporting the highest number of infected patients since the disease was downgraded in May.

Kako is currently visiting Tottori Prefecture but was forced to cancel her appearance at the 10th national high school sign language performance competition scheduled for Sept. 24. She will stay at a hotel in Tottori city until Sept. 28 to recuperate.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, Kako complained of a sore throat before going to bed on Sept. 23 and awoke with a fever. Tests revealed an infection.

She arrived in Tottori Prefecture the same day she reported feeling unwell. The sign language event will be held as planned.

On Sept. 14, the agency said that Prince Hisahito, Kako’s younger brother and the sole son of Fumihito, tested positive for the novel coronavirus. He is second in line to the throne after his father.

Fumihito and Kiko are visiting Vietnam until Sept. 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Vietnam.

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