AS the nation’s popular Princess Aiko (pic) turns 23, she has taken on more official duties even while her future in the imperial family remains in doubt.
Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, graduated from university earlier this year and has since been participating in official duties and palace rituals while working at the Red Cross Society, according to the Imperial Household Agency (IHA).But Japanese law requires her to renounce her royal status and leave the family if she marries outside the imperial family.
