Photo/Illutration Princess Kako uses sign language at the opening ceremony of a competition for high school students in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, on Sept. 22. (Jun Ueda)

YONAGO, Tottori Prefecture--Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, addressed high school students at a speech contest here in flawless sign language on Sept. 22.

During her “speech” at the opening ceremony of a national sign language competition, Kako let the students know she had previously taken Tottori Prefecture’s sign language test for elementary school pupils and had studied from the prefecture’s “sign language handbook.”

She expressed her hope that people would become more understanding of hearing disabilities and more accepting of diverse personal backgrounds.

Kako added that she “strongly hopes” for a society where everyone can live in peace and have a wider range of choices.

The event, the 11th National High School Sign Language Performance Koshien, was supported by The Asahi Shimbun Social Welfare Organization and other groups.

It has been held since 2014 to promote sign language among people without hearing disabilities through the competition by showcasing high school students’ abilities to communicate in that manner.

Kako has attended the competition since it began, except while studying abroad. This was her seventh appearance.

This year, the competition was divided into two categories: drama, comedy and poetry; and dance and singing. A total of 16 teams, eight from each category, that passed the preliminary round performed sign language.

On Sept. 21, Kako attended a social gathering with the students participating in the competition.

She used sign language to “chat” with 19 students from all 16 teams and encouraged them ahead of the upcoming event.

Kako also expressed concern to Mian Ikeda, a second-year high school student at Ishikawa Prefectural School for the Deaf, about her family following recent heavy rain and flooding.

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