Princess Aiko News and Current Events Part 3: April 2008 - December 2020


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:previous: I agree... am sooo happy that precious child has escaped being Empress and having to deal with the IHA which swallowed up her mother CP Masako and seems to have broken her grandmother's spirit.:sad:

Aiko, like Gabriella in Monaco, will have the best of both worlds. Privilege, opportunities, wealth and most important of all real freedom to do what she wants.
 
I hope she's okay too. Unless she joins her parents in some event, the next time we'll officially see Aiko should be the high school entrance ceremony in April.
An Imperial Household Agency spokesman said there was nothing special to announce about Aiko's health, but the Crown Prince touched on a period last autumn when Aiko was absent from school for some six weeks.

"For a time she was unwell, which caused some worry, but thanks to support from her mother, she has now returned to her usual school life," Naruhito said.
At the bottom of Japan's crown prince says will model himself after father as emperor | Reuters

I wish the press would leave her alone but that probably won't happen. :sad:
 
Actually, we should see Aiko in March. I forgot the CP family usually goes to Nagano in March and the photo op at the junior high graduation ceremony.
 
On the March 16th, Princess Aiko participated in a farewell gathering of Gakushuin’s graduates. Her junior high class performed a creative drama arranged from Disney works; she played cello.
page 4 of Sankei Imperial Weekly #478

From some Japanese twitter users, Aiko's junior high graduation ceremony is on March 22 and high school entrance ceremony is around April 6 or 10. [tweet 2]
 
I’m not sure. I think interest naturally increased as she's older now and can attend more public events (and the IHA reveals too much sometimes). I only know of this Aiko fan site https://kaiserinta.wordpress.com/ but I’m not familiar with other popular sites/platforms in Japan. I try to avoid what looks like gossip and women's magazine sites.
 
I don't like to speculate, but I'm worried about Aiko, though I know her parents will be there for her all the time.

I think Aiko, and many other Princesses, when they reach teen years they start to feel conscious about their appearances, start to have doubts about themselves, and mostly "hate" themselves. I'm not royal and I felt the same way, but for them is worse because millions of people are watching them all the time.
The dramatic change in Aiko's appearance in the last year was so fast, on an unhealthy way, as you can see here (you need to keep scrolling down):
https://kaiserinta.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/%e6%84%9b%e5%ad%90%e3%81%95%e3%81%be%e3%81%ae%e3%82%bb%e3%83%83%e3%83%88%e3%82%a2%e3%83%83%e3%83%97%e3%82%b3%e3%83%ac%e3%82%af%e3%82%b7%e3%83%a7%e3%83%b3/
And it's even more noticeable here:
https://kaiserinta.wordpress.com/2017/02/23/【写真特集】皇太子さま57歳お誕生日おめでとう!/
She lost a large amount of weight, she looks so fragile and thin. I hope she will overcome this all. Many people love her, me included. Be strong!
 
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Princess Aiko graduated from Gakushuin Junior High on March 22nd. The Crown Prince family arrived at the campus around 9:10am for photos and Princess Aiko thanked the media's "congratulations" and answered some questions. [-]When asked about her impressions of junior high life, she responded "I was able to spend a pleasant three years with my teachers and my friends."[/-] (see English Asahi version below) [Mainichi 1]

In Photos: Princess Aiko graduates from junior high school - The Mainichi

Princess Aiko finishes junior high, reflects on Hiroshima trip: The Asahi Shimbun
When reporters congratulated her at the main entrance to the school, Aiko, 15, responded, "I enjoyed the past three years because I was fortunate to have good teachers and friends."

The Imperial Household Agency also released a composition Aiko wrote for inclusion in the graduation anthology. She looked back on a school trip to Hiroshima in May 2016 and expressed her desire for the eventual abolition of nuclear weapons.

In the composition, Aiko wrote that when she stood before the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome she felt the suffering and chagrin of those who were affected by the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing.

She also wrote about feeling anger and sadness when she visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and learned about the vast number of people who died as a result of the bombing.

She also wrote about folding origami paper cranes with her friends and touched upon the two given to the museum by U.S. President Barack Obama when he visited in May 2016. She wrote that the large number of paper cranes on display was an expression of the same desire for peace held by those who left them.

"As Japanese born in the only nation to have the atomic bomb dropped on it, there is a need for us to widely transmit to the world what we have seen with our own eyes and felt," she wrote. "I pray that some day, in the not too distant future, a world without nuclear weapons will emerge and the 'Flame of Peace' in Hiroshima can be extinguished."

The Flame of Peace is a sculpture that has served as a symbol for nuclear abolition and is meant to stay alight "until the day when all such weapons shall have disappeared from the Earth," according to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park website.
Aiko's essay "Wishing for world peace" in full: Mainichi 2
Google translation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxxf5pdsWWI
ETA: fixing translation and replacing Japanese articles with English versions
 
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i'm glad that she looks so much healthier and better than how frail and thin she looked at her last birthday photos .
 
She has become very beautiful !!!!! A joy to behold !
 
She carries herself very well in the video talking to the press. She's also much healthier looking in this latest batch of photos, so hopefully whatever was going on to make her look so frail before was temporary and a one time issue.
 
Thanks for the update!
Princess Aiko looked lovely. Her parents are proud of her academic achievements.
 
On March 24th, Princess Aiko reported her junior high graduation at the Sanctuary of the Imperial Palace; she arrived before 10am in school uniform. According to the IHA, Aiko's "sanctuary for Sanmoku has been held since 2006, when the general "Shicho-ko" ceremony was held."

Sources: Jiji, news24.jp video, Sankei
 
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Great, that she is looking so much better now!
Bye Bine
 
.

Please stay respectful to the people you discuss! We won't discuss plastic surgery, especially not when teenagers are concerned. A couple of posts have been deleted. Thanks for your understanding!
 
The Imperial Household Agency also released a composition Aiko wrote for inclusion in the graduation anthology. She looked back on a school trip to Hiroshima in May 2016 and expressed her desire for the eventual abolition of nuclear weapons.

In the composition, Aiko wrote that when she stood before the iconic Atomic Bomb Dome she felt the suffering and chagrin of those who were affected by the Aug. 6, 1945, atomic bombing.

She also wrote about feeling anger and sadness when she visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and learned about the vast number of people who died as a result of the bombing.

She also wrote about folding origami paper cranes with her friends and touched upon the two given to the museum by U.S. President Barack Obama when he visited in May 2016. She wrote that the large number of paper cranes on display was an expression of the same desire for peace held by those who left them.

"As Japanese born in the only nation to have the atomic bomb dropped on it, there is a need for us to widely transmit to the world what we have seen with our own eyes and felt," she wrote. "I pray that some day, in the not too distant future, a world without nuclear weapons will emerge and the 'Flame of Peace' in Hiroshima can be extinguished."

Aiko's essay "Wishing for world peace" in full: Mainichi 2
Google translation

I am glad that the IHA published her essay.
 
Princess Aiko and her parents attended the entrance ceremony of Gakushuin Girls' High School around 9am on April 8th. Responding to questions and congratulations, she said "Thank you, I am hoping to be able to spend a fulfilling high school life with teachers and friends."
About 200 freshmen are enrolled, divided into 5 classes: East, West, Middle, South, and North. Aiko's in the "Middle" class with 38 students; lessons start on the 13th.
She will report her high school entrance to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on the 9th.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi, AFPBB News
Sources: NHK, JP Reuters, Sankei

The CP family stayed at Shiga Kogen resort in Nagano Prefecture during their March 27-31 rest period and the IHA released photos and video of Aiko skiing. [Mainichi 2]
Also, she participated in a ski class in Shiga Highland with a friend in January during winter break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRZ_92XyNRg
 
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:previous: After the Gakushuin's concert, Princess Aiko enjoyed horseback riding on April 16th.
Source: page 4 of Sankei Imperial Weekly #483

There was also a confusing bit after Aiko's activities about Crown Princess Masako visiting a moving aquarium in (from?) Iwaki, Fukushima to encourage the people concerned. The Google translation isn't clear. It must be unofficial since the visit doesn't appear on the IHA schedule; I assume it's a travelling aquarium currently in Tokyo as opposed to Masako actually going to Fukushima after attending Aiko's concert.

On April 25th, Princess Aiko participated in Gakushuin Girls' High School ball games. She played basketball and her 1st year team won against a 3rd year team in the first match, but lost the 2nd match to another 3rd year team. However, she was very pleased to have won against a senior team.
Source: page 2 of Sankei Imperial Weekly #484
 
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On September 1st, CP Naruhito and Princess Aiko participated in a disaster drill training held at Akasaka Estate on the occasion of Disaster Prevention Day. [Sankei Imperial Weekly #502]

On September 26th, Princess Aiko joined her parents in meeting the newly appointed Imperial Palace escort guards. [Sankei Imperial Weekly #506]
This appears to be the first time Princess Aiko attending this type of interview.

On September 30th, Princess Aiko participated in the sports festival at Gakushuin in various ball, dribble, and dance competitions. Unfortunately, her class finished a disappointing 4th place. [Sankei Imperial Weekly #507]

Princess Aiko participated in the cultural festival at Gakushuin High School on October 28-29. She was responsible for facilities, student guidance, and host of the dance team performance. [Sankei Imperial Weekly #511]
 
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Princess Aiko turned 16 on December 1st. Photos and video were taken on November 23rd.

She entered Gakushuin High School in April and attended public events with her parents in May. Aiko attended a camping school in Nagano Prefecture July 24-27 and climbed the Yatsugatake mountain range with her classmates. [Sankei]

The CP family still has dog Yuri and cats Mie and Seven. Aiko likes exercise; she enjoys softball and badminton with IHA staff after school and on holidays.

Photos/info: Asahi

In the video, father and daughter are looking at books and maps of Yatsugatake mountain range.

FNN screenshot of CP Naruhito and Princess Aiko participating in a disaster drill at Akasaka Estate in September:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DP6VqYCVAAADejr.jpg

Princess Aiko turns 16, enjoying school life and learning her role - The Mainichi
[...]

Over the past year, she has accompanied her parents on official duties and met members of foreign royal families. [...]

During the May holidays, the princess watched a game of wheelchair basketball with her parents and showed a strong interest in the sport.

[...]

She also accompanied her parents when they greeted Swedish Crown Princess Victoria, Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, as well as Bhutan Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck during their visits to Japan, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

On the anniversaries of Japan's surrender in World War II and the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, the princess observed moments of silence. She also listened to her parents' accounts of their visit to disaster-hit Miyagi Prefecture in November.

[...]

The princess does not engage in any club activities, but she has actively taken part in athletics meets and cultural festivals. She often talks to her parents about her school life, the agency said.

[...]
 
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Obviously, the decision on Emperor Akihito's abdication overshadowed Princess Aiko's birthday. She visited the Imperial Palace after school on December 1st for the customary birthday greetings with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

Getty Images

Princess Aiko turns 16 | Nippon TV NEWS24 JAPAN

Princess Aiko turns 16, counts diplomacy as part of her life: The Asahi Shimbun
[...]

Aiko watched the Eastern Tokyo’s regional competition for the annual National High School Baseball Tournament in July. She also emceed at the dance team’s performance during the Yaezakura Festival held at Gakushuin Girls’ Junior and Senior High School in October.

[...]
 
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Is there any chance that Aiko could end up her father's heir? I remember hearing some talk of that a few years ago, but it seemed to die out again.


Obviously, the decision on Emperor Akihito's abdication overshadowed Princess Aiko's birthday. She visited the Imperial Palace after school on December 1st for the customary birthday greetings with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.
 
Is there any chance that Aiko could end up her father's heir? I remember hearing some talk of that a few years ago, but it seemed to die out again.

No, they nixed that idea once a male heir was born. At this point we’ll be lucky if they allow married princesses to stay in the royal family by the time she marries.
 
On April 6th, the IHA released video and photos of Princess Aiko skiing when the CP family vacationed at Okushiga Kogen Ski Resort in Nagano March 26-30.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei Imperial Weekly #533
 
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Princess Aiko participated in Gakushuin High School's basketball tournament on April 24th. She played all 4 games and helped her team to 2nd place with a few deciding shots.

Source: Sankei Imperial Weekly #536
 
Princess Aiko to attend British summer school - News - NHK WORLD - English
[...] Sources say Princess Aiko is planning to spend nearly three weeks in late July and early August at Eton College, a public school in the outskirts of London.

She is to board in a dormitory with other students to study British culture as well as ways to communicate in English.

[...]

This is the first time the teenage princess will be staying by herself overseas for an extended period.

[...]
It's a joint Gakushuin-Eton program according to Asahi.

ETA: fnn.jp reports Aiko's studying abroad July 22 - August 9

ETA: Princess Aiko to join summer school in Eton College - The Mainichi
She has a strong interest in foreign countries, the sources said. Her parents have supported her decision, wishing their daughter to broaden her view.
 
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