Princess Aiko to Join Japanese Red Cross Society Post-University Graduation in April

Jan 22, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - The Imperial Household Agency announced that Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Emperor and Empress, will start working as a staff member at the Japanese Red Cross Society from April.

Princess Aiko was born in 2001. When she was younger, Emperor Naruhito, then the Crown Prince, affectionately referred to her as "Aiko-chan" and emphasized the importance of a father's role in parenting. He was involved in her upbringing, often reading her picture books.

Princess Aiko, always in the public eye since her early years, entered kindergarten holding her father's hand, visibly nervous. By the time she entered elementary school two years later, she had grown more confident, often seen smiling. On her 9th birthday, she was observed practicing calligraphy with a serious expression.

From a young age, Princess Aiko showed interest in Japanese history and literature. Emperor Naruhito, recalling his time as Crown Prince, expressed surprise at the difficulty of her studies. He himself graduated from Gakushuin University's Faculty of Letters and then studied at the University of Oxford for two years. Empress Masako also graduated from Harvard University in the United States, joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and later studied at the University of Oxford.

Princess Aiko attended Gakushuin from kindergarten through university, demonstrating a keen interest not only in Japanese literature but in a broad range of subjects.

Her curiosity extended to natural sciences too. In a conversation with Emperor Naruhito, she shared her independent research on seashells and dragonflies. When asked by Empress Masako about a specific dragonfly, Princess Aiko correctly identified it as "アキアカネ, akiakane."

In 2020, Princess Aiko enrolled in the Faculty of Letters at Gakushuin University, expressing her interest in classical literature like "The Tale of Genji."

At this year's New Year's Poetry Reading, Princess Aiko recited a Waka poem reflecting her deep connection to the art form:

"Overcoming years of hardship, the words of Waka resonate with me."

Her profound appreciation for Waka is evident. Last month, she submitted her graduation thesis on medieval Waka poetry and is soon to graduate from university.

Source: ANN

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