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Originally Posted by tlklhm
I am more amazed by the choice of Princess Akishino (Princess Kiko)?. On what basis is she been chosen? How can someone who never work before and whose life is been dictated by the IHA be a global leader? If giving birth to a long anticipated heir to the throne made her a global leader, then I am very sorry for other more outstanding women around the world.
Apparantly the selection criteria does not apply to her. She married Prince Akishino immediately after her studies, no working experience, did not complete her PhD and only see her walking behind her husband on official visit. The only accomplishment i can see is giving birth to Prince Hisahito. Even her profile is so pathetic compared to the others.
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This is unfair, Kiko can be seen as a global leader in that she does actually have patronages that she works for. Not being the crown prince's wife she has more freedom in the role she takes. She doesn't just accompany her husband but carries out engagements on her own, now she's bringing along her oldest daughter as well as 'training'. Although technically on maternity leave, the IHA announced that Kiko would retire for a year to raise her baby. She instead went back to carrying out official duties 2 months after Hisahito's birth. This is not the norm in Japanese society women do not work when they have babies. As far as Japanese society is concerned she is a role model for women in the fact, yes she did marry straight from her university undergraduate degree but she was still at university at the time doing a post-graduate degree. She continued with her studies even after her marriage and the birth of her 2 daughters. Japanese women of her generation did not continue with their education once they were married and even today Japanese women basically have to choose marriage or career, ( in here substitute university study) it's still an either or situation not you can do both as it is in western countries.
Kiko has been much more successful in being a role model for Japanese women than Masako has, ( although to be fair she didn't have the pressure of being the crown princess) even having a third child was a positive move in a country where the birth rate is now less than the death rate. It's causing a demographic crisis as women are either not having children or chosing to only have one child. (The Australian treasurer wants Australians to have a third child as he said 'one for the country' to halt Australians aging demographics so it's not just the old fuddies in Japan making these comments)
There's still very much the perception of "a life dictated by the IHA" Japanese royals do and have in the past done what they wanted even if the IHA have said 'don't do it" Eg married people the IHA courtiers didn't want,( Michiko, Masako) publish the war diaries of their Imperial prince husband ( Princess Takamatsu) bring up their own children ( Akihito and Michiko)
Kiko's profile is not pathetic compared to the others, she has carried out overseas trips, studied, and worked with her patronages and on top of this was married and has a family. In Japanese society she is a leader and a role model for Japanese women.