ANNnewsCH Posts 2001 Footage of Princess Aiko's Birth

Princess Aiko Starts Classes at Gakushuin Primary School

In spite of the rainy day, Princess Aiko of Japan’s face was wreathed in a cheerful smile as she walked with her parents Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako to begin classes at Gakushuin Primary School today. The six-year old little princess completed kindergarten last month.

The Royalist article, Princess Aiko Swaps The Palace For The Schoolroom, can be read here.

Photo: Associated Press/Yoshikazu Tsuno

Japan’s Princess Aiko Completes First Educational Milestone

Princess Aiko of Japan completed her first educational milestone this month when she graduated from Gakushuin Kindergarten. In front of her delighted parents, Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, six-year old Aiko received her diploma at her kindergarten graduation ceremony today. She will begin classes at Gakushuin Primary School in April.

Photo: Associated Press/Itsuo Inouye

Crown Prince of Japan Turns Forty-Eight

The Imperial Household Agency has released some new photos and a video clip to mark the forty-eighth birthday of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan. The prince was born on February 23, 1960. His Investiture as Crown Prince was held on his birthday in 1991. The prince is a 1982 graduate of Gakushuin University. In September 1991, the University of Oxford bestowed upon him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. He married Masako Owada on June 9, 1993. His daughter, Princess Aiko, was born on December 1, 2001.Amongst his many official duties, the prince has held the post of Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society since 1994. Last November, he was named the President of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation.
Naruhito is an avid tennis player and an accomplished violist. Some of his favourite diversions include mountaineering, jogging and skiing.

A video clip from the Imperial Household Agency website of Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako and Princess Aiko can be seen here.

The Press Conference by His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince on the Occasion of His Birthday can be read here.

Photos: The Imperial Household Agency

Princess Aiko's School Trip to the Zoo

Crown Princess Masako made a rare appearance on Friday when she dropped off her daughter Princess Aiko at Tokyo's Tama Zoological Park to meet with her kindergarten class at the gate. The five-year old princess observed lions from a bus, as well as, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and ostriches at the African Garden exhibit. The zoo is spread over 129 acres of land and features the animals in their naturalistic habitats.

Photo: Associated Press/Katsumi Kasahara

Masako Graces Tokushima Prefecture for Three Days

Crown Princess Masako of Japan is visiting the Tokushima Prefecture with Crown Prince Naruhito at the end of the month for three days. She has already made a short trip to the Nagano Prefecture in June. She has slowly been recovering from an 'adjustment disorder' that has kept her from her royal duties since July 2004. In spite of her difficulties, the princess has been seen taking Princess Aiko to kindergarten and participating in various activities revolving around her daughter.

Naruhito's First Visit to Mongolia

For the last eight days, Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan has been touring Mongolia. The prince was officially invited by President Nambaryn Enkhbayar to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Mongolia.

Naruhito highlighted his tour by giving a performance on the viola of Camille Saint-Saëns The Swan at a cultural concert in Ulaanbaatar.

While in Kharkhorin, the prince took the opportunity to visit the parents of sumo wrestler grand champion Asashoryu. Naruhito and his daughter, Princess Aiko are fans of sumo wrestling and as part of his toast during a banquet in Ulaanbaatar, Prince Naruhito acknowledged the achievements of two Mongolian sumo wrestlers, Asahoryu and Hakuho.

The only regret for the prince was the absence of his wife, Crown Princess Masako, who is slowly recovering from an ‘adjustment disorder’ that limits her abilities to complete long engagements such as a visit to Mongolia. During the press conference before his tour, Naruhito said, “Princess Masako greatly appreciates the invitation by the Government of Mongolia. She and I both deeply regret that she cannot honor the invitation. This visit involves a long stay and quite a few events that must be attended successively, which the doctors consider may be difficult for her to accomplish. Based on all of this, we have decided that I will visit Mongolia alone.”