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Aiko, Princess Toshi

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Aiko
Her Imperial Highness
The Princess Toshi
Aiko in 2022
Born (2001-12-01) 1 December 2001 (age 23)
Imperial Household Agency Hospital,
Imperial Palace, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherNaruhito
MotherEmpress Masako

Aiko, Princess Toshi (敬宮愛子内親王, Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō, born 1 December 2001) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.[1]

Following her birth, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture (male-only imperial succession) originally implemented in 1889 and reinforced by the World War II allies on the constitution of Japan. However, once her uncle and the current crown prince Fumihito, Prince Akishino had his son, Hisahito in September 2006, Hisahito became second in the line of succession following his father. Aiko remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne and she cannot succeed her father, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues.

Birth

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Aiko, three months after her birth, 2002

Princess Aiko was born on 1 December 2001 at 2:43 PM in the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace, the first and only child of the then-Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Naruhito and Masako.[2][3]

In a break with tradition, the name of the princess was chosen by her parents, instead of by her grandfather, the Emperor Akihito. It was selected from clause 56 of Li Lou II, one of the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Mencius. Aiko, the princess' personal name, is written with the kanji characters for 'love' (愛) and 'child' (子) and means "a person who loves others".[4] The princess also has an imperial title, Princess Toshi (敬宮, toshi-no-miya), which means "a person who respects others".[4]

Aiko's grandfather, Akihito
Aiko's great-grandfather, Hirohito

Education

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Princess Aiko began her education at Gakushūin Kindergarten on 3 April 2006.[5] She left kindergarten on 15 March 2008.[6]

On her eighth birthday, it was revealed her interests included writing kanji characters, calligraphy, jump rope, playing piano and violin, and writing poetry.[7]

In early March 2010, Aiko began to stay home from school due to being bullied by boys in her elementary school.[8] Aiko returned to school on a limited basis on 2 May 2010. After returning to school, a senior palace official said that she would attend a limited number of classes accompanied by her mother, upon advice from a doctor at the Crown Prince's household.[9]

Aiko with her parents in Nasu Imperial Villa, Tochigi Prefecture in August 2019

In November 2011, Aiko was hospitalized with pneumonia.[10] In 2014, she enrolled at the Gakushuin Girl's Junior High-school.[11]

In the summer of 2018, she made her first solo trip abroad to attend a summer program at Eton College, United Kingdom.[12] Reports from an unnamed palace source close to the family stated that Aiko provided her mother Masako with emotional support in her new role as empress.[13]

In February 2020 she was accepted at Gakushuin University where she majored in Japanese language and literature.[14]

She graduated on 20 March 2024 and stated that she will "strive to balance my official duties and work... while fulfilling my duties as a member of the Imperial Family."[15] She wrote her senior thesis on Princess Shikishi and her waka (poetry in classical Japanese literature).[16]

Public life

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Cork azalea, Rhododendron quinquefolium, designated imperial personal emblem of Aiko

From the age of 16, Aiko began accompanying her parents at public appearances.[17][18] She was ineligible to attend any of her father's ascension ceremonies in person as she was still a minor at the time.[19]

On 15 September 2021, Aiko and her parents left the Akasaka Palace and moved to the Tokyo Imperial Palace.[20]

On 5 December 2021, the Sunday after her 20th birthday, she participated in formal coming of age ceremonies wearing a tiara borrowed from her aunt, Sayako Kuroda and was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown by her father, Emperor Naruhito.[21][22]

She attended the 2022 New Year celebration at the Imperial Palace as her first public event as a working member of the imperial family.[23] Her first press conference took place on 17 March.[24] Her next public outing was on 5 November, when she participated with her cousin Princess Kako of Akishino in a so-called "Gagaku" concert organized by the Imperial Household Agency.[25] On 24 November, Princess Aiko visited an exhibition at the Tokyo National Museum, with her parents.[26]

Aiko visited Ise Jingu offering tamagushi to Amaterasu on 26 March and the mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu in Kashihara, Nara to inform his spirit of her graduation from university on 27 March. These were her first solo visits to the shrine and mausoleum.[27][28] She began work at the Japanese Red Cross Society, of which her mother is honorary president, on 1 April 2024 after graduating from university.[29]

In October 2024 she made her first official solo Imperial visit. She attended a sports competition in the Saga prefecture.[30]

Succession to the throne

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The Imperial Household Law of 1947 abolished the Japanese nobility; under provisions of this law, the imperial family was streamlined to the descendants of Emperor Taishō.[31] The laws of succession in Japan prevent inheritance by or through women.

Debate

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Princess Aiko (standing, center) with the Imperial Family (November 2013)

The birth of Princess Aiko sparked debate in Japan about whether the Imperial Household Law of 1947 should be changed from the current system of agnatic primogeniture to absolute primogeniture, which would allow a woman, as firstborn, to inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne ahead of a younger brother or male cousin. Although Imperial chronologies include ten empresses regnant as female monarchs in the course of Japanese history, their successors were always selected from amongst the members of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century.[31] Though Empress Genmei was followed on the throne by her daughter, Empress Genshō,[32] Genshō's father, Prince Kusakabe, was also a member of the imperial dynasty, as the son of Emperor Tenmu, and therefore Genshō was a patrilineal descendant of the imperial bloodline. In addition, Empress Genshō herself was succeeded by her brother's son, thus keeping the throne in the same agnatic line; both Genshō and Genmei, as well as all other empresses regnant and emperors, belonged to the same agnatic line.

A government-appointed panel of experts submitted a report on 25 October 2005, recommending that the Imperial succession law be amended to permit absolute primogeniture. On 20 January 2006, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi used part of his annual keynote speech to address the controversy when he pledged to submit a bill to the Diet letting women ascend to the throne in order that the Imperial throne be continued into the future in a stable manner. Koizumi did not announce a timing for the legislation to be introduced nor did he provide details about the content, but he did note that it would be in line with the conclusions of the 2005 government panel.[33]

Birth of male cousin (Hisahito)

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See also: Japanese imperial succession debate

Proposals to replace agnatic primogeniture were shelved temporarily after it was announced in February 2006 that the-then Crown Prince's younger brother, Fumihito, Prince Akishino, and his wife, Kiko, Princess Akishino, were expecting their third child. On 6 September 2006, Princess Kiko gave birth to their first son, Hisahito, who was third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the time of the birth under the current law, after his uncle, the then-Crown Prince, and his father, Prince Akishino.[34][35][36] The prince's birth provided the first male heir to be born in the imperial family in 41 years. On 3 January 2007, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced that he would drop the proposal to alter the Imperial Household Law.[37]

Surveys have shown 80% public support for a female succession.[38] A manga by Kobayashi Yoshinori called Aiko Tennō ron (愛子天皇論[39] "Princess Aiko as Emperor") has led to debates and also been circulated amongst the members of the National Diet.[38]

Titles, styles and honours

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The Japanese press refers to her with her short title "Toshi-no-miya" (Her Highness Princess Toshi) or full "Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō" (Her Highness Princess Toshi Aiko). In general amongst the people she is referred to as "Aiko-sama".

Titles and styles

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Princess Aiko is styled as "Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko".[40] She also has an imperial title, "Princess Toshi" (敬宮, toshi-no-miya).[40]

Honours

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See also: List of honours of the Japanese imperial family by country

National honours

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References

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  1. ^ Maygar, James; Ujikane, Keiko (13 July 2016). "Japan Emperor, Symbol of National Unity, Said to Seek Abdication". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Girl Born to Japan's Princess". The New York Times. 1 December 2001. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  3. ^ French, Howard W. (8 December 2001). "Japan: A Name For The Royal Baby". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 April 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  4. ^ a b Colin Joyce (2001-12-08). "Japan's princess named 'one who loves others' Archived 2017-12-27 at the Wayback Machine". The Daily Telegraph, 8 December 2001.
  5. ^ Japan's Princess Aiko, 4, starts kindergarten Archived 2010-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. redOrbit. 10 April 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2009.
  6. ^ Princess Aiko finishes kindergarten Archived 2009-11-24 at the Wayback Machine. The Japan Times. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  7. ^ Princess Aiko celebrates 8th birthday Archived 2009-12-03 at the Wayback Machine. The Mainichi Daily News. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Japan princess 'bullied by boys'". BBC News. 5 March 2010. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  9. ^ "Princess Aiko returns to school". The Japan Times. Tokyo. 2 May 2010. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  10. ^ Demetriou, Danielle (3 November 2011). "Japan's Princess Aiko suffering from pneumonia". Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 17 August 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  11. ^ "Princess Aiko enters high school". 8 April 2017. Archived from the original on 11 April 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017 – via Japan Times Online.
  12. ^ "Princess Aiko heads to Britain to attend course at Eton College". The Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  13. ^ Ogata, Yudai; Nakada, Ayako (1 January 2019). "Support from Aiko, public behind Masako's new confidence". The Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo. Archived from the original on 31 January 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  14. ^ "Princess Aiko to enter Gakushuin University in Tokyo in April". The Asahi Shimbun. Tokyo. 21 February 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  15. ^ "Princess Aiko set to work with Red Cross following Gakushuin graduation". The Japan Times. Tokyo. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  16. ^ "愛子さまが学習院大を卒業、卒業論文は式子内親王とその和歌…「学業の集大成」として". Yomiuri Shimbun. 20 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  17. ^ "Princess Aiko turns 17, says she is enjoying school life". The Japan Times. Tokyo. 1 December 2018. Archived from the original on 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  18. ^ "Princess Aiko turns 18, enjoys last year in high school". The Mainichi. Mainichi Newspapers. 1 December 2019. Archived from the original on 23 December 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  19. ^ Nagatani, Aya (4 December 2019). "Princess Aiko turns 18 after watching rituals of her parents". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  20. ^ "天皇ご一家、皇居へご転居". Sankei Shimbun. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  21. ^ "Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies". Kyodo News. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies". Kyodo News. Tokyo, Japan. 5 December 2021. Archived from the original on 5 December 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  23. ^ Hubbard, Lauren (6 January 2022). "Princess Aiko of Japan Attended Her First Event Since Becoming a Working Royal". Town & Country. Archived from the original on 7 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  24. ^ "Princess Aiko vows to fulfill duties as adult in 1st news conference". The Mainichi. Tokyo, Japan. 17 March 2022. Archived from the original on 15 May 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Japan's Princesses Aiko, Kako attend gagaku concert". The Japan News. 6 November 2022. Archived from the original on 6 November 2022. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  26. ^ "Emperor visits Tokyo exhibit on national treasures". The Japan News. 25 November 2022. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  27. ^ "愛子さま伊勢神宮の内宮を参拝し玉串捧げられる 「卒業おめでとうございます」の声も｜FNNプライムオンライン". FNNプライムオンライン. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  28. ^ "愛子さま 神武天皇陵を参拝 大学卒業を報告 奈良 橿原". NHK. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Princess Aiko begins 1st day of work at Japanese Red Cross Society". Kyodo News. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  30. ^ "Princess Aiko visits Saga for first solo official duty in regional Japan". www.ntv.co.jp. Nippon TV News 24 Japan. 11 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl," Archived 2007-10-17 at the Wayback Machine The Japan Times. 27 March 2007.
  32. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 56.
  33. ^ "Japan bill to let women on throne". BBC News. 20 January 2006. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  34. ^ "Japan princess gives birth to boy". BBC News. 6 September 2006. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2006.
  35. ^ Walsh, Bryan (5 September 2006). "Japan Celebrates: It's a Boy!". Time. Archived from the original on 13 May 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2011..
  36. ^ Yoshida, Reiji (27 March 2007). "Japan's Imperial Family: Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl". The Japan Times. FYI (weekly column). Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
  37. ^ "Report: Japan to drop plan to allow female monarch". USA Today. McLean, VA: Gannett. The Associated Press. 3 January 2007. ISSN 0734-7456. Archived from the original on 5 January 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  38. ^ a b Saitō, Katsuhisa (25 September 2023). "Aiko on the Throne? Event Seeks to Pave the Way for a Female Emperor". nippon.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  39. ^ "明知國民支持「女性天皇」，國會為何擱置討論皇位繼承問題？". nippon.com (in Japanese). 17 January 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress". The Imperial Household Agency. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  41. ^ NEWS, KYODO. "Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
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