By AKIKO TADA/ Staff Writer
December 1, 2023 at 17:22 JST
Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, celebrated her 22nd birthday on Dec. 1 while working on her graduation thesis.
Aiko is a fourth-year student at Tokyo’s Gakushuin University and spends a lot of her time at libraries and archives, according to the Imperial Household Agency.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Aiko mostly studied online during her first three years at the university. Now in her senior year, the princess is finally able to enjoy a full campus life with her friends.
Majoring in Japanese literature, Aiko has been studying fiction and poetry from the late eighth to early 20th centuries since 2020. Beyond her major, she has also taken a variety of courses such as social welfare and sports.
While busy with her studies, Aiko has recently joined her parents in official engagements more frequently.
These include paying tribute to fallen Red Cross workers at the Japanese headquarters of the charity, marking her first appearance at such an occasion.
The princess also joined Naruhito and Masako for a lecture given by Red Cross leaders, demonstrating her growing interest in welfare and charity.
Additionally, Aiko played an official role for the first time in electing imperial members of the Imperial House Council.
At home, the princess, known for her love of animals, enjoys spending time with her beloved dog Yuri and two cats, Mi and Seven. She also helps care for silkworms that are traditionally kept by the household.
In the family’s kitchen garden, she grows vegetables, including Chinese cabbage, peanuts and basil, which she harvests and shares with her parents.
In her free time, Aiko also goes for walks with her parents within the grounds of the Imperial Palace and plays tennis, volleyball and badminton with her aides, according to the agency.
Princess Aiko turns 21, enjoys her studies, pets and volleyball
December 1, 2022
A dog named Yuri is Princess Aiko’s constant companion
December 19, 2021
Aiko to receive adulthood medal as princess turns 20 on Dec. 1
November 17, 2021
Princess marks coming of age with a tiara loaned by aunt
December 5, 2021
A peek through the music industry’s curtain at the producers who harnessed social media to help their idols go global.
A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry
Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors.
Cooking experts, chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life.
A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II
As part of her studies, Princess Aiko pays her first visit to the Archives and Mausolea Department of the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on Nov. 24. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)
