Princess Aiko
The emperor’s daughter wants to work here after university
Princess Aiko
© Dana Press
Princess Aiko will soon be graduating from university. Now the Imperial Court Office has announced her career plans, which raise the question: Is the emperor’s daughter turning her back on her official duties? But an immediate all-clear follows.
After the worrying news of the past few weeks, a surprising report comes from the Japanese imperial family: Princess Aiko, 22, the daughter of the imperial couple, wants to pursue an unusual career path and pursue a white-collar job after graduating from university next April.
Princess Aiko: After worrying about women in the imperial family, she delivers great news
On Empress Masako’s 60th birthday, in December 2023, her medical team stated that her physical condition was still “volatile.” It’s a sad anniversary: Since December 2003, the mother of Princess Aiko and wife of Emperor Naruhito, 63, has been receiving medical treatment for her “stress-related adjustment disorder.” Princess Kiko, 57, is also currently drawing attention to herself because of health problems: In January of this year, the Imperial Court Office announced that Empress Masako’s sister-in-law was suffering from gastrointestinal problems and could not eat “a normal meal”.
In the midst of these gloomy headlines, Princess Aiko is now providing a small ray of hope: She will soon successfully complete her language and literature studies at Gakushūin University in Tokyo.
Unusual career plans: Aiko is employed
Aiko already has a plan for the future: like the Imperial Court Office on Monday. January 22, 2024, she will be working at the Japanese Red Cross Society in April. This is reported by leading media such as the “Japan Times”. “I hope that I can help people and society a little,” said the 22-year-old in the statement.
A very unusual step for an emperor’s daughter. But for Aiko it is a matter of the heart. Because she had long hoped to be employed by the Red Cross Society.
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The emperor’s daughter wants to continue carrying out her official duties
The Imperial Court Office also emphasizes that Princess Aiko wants to continue to fulfill her official duties as a member of the imperial family in addition to her employment. To do this, she will commute from her home to the Red Cross Society’s headquarters in Minato, a district of Tokyo.
The Japanese Red Cross Society is closely linked to the imperial family. The emperor’s wives traditionally hold the honorary chair.
Source used: japantimes.co.jp