Japan's Princess Kako Turns 27, Wishing for Sister's Happiness

Tokyo, Dec. 29 (Jiji Press)--Japan's Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 27 on Wednesday. According to the Imperial Household Agency, Princess Kako is very happy about the long-cherished marriage of her older sister, former Princess Mako, to her college sweetheart and commoner Kei Komuro in October. Princess Kako sincerely wishes for the happiness of her 30-year-old sister, the agency said. The princess, a niece of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, started working at the Japanese Federation of the Deaf as a part-time employee in May this year. She has been doing paperwork and other tasks remotely about three days a week, trying hard to be a help to the federation, according to the agency. In October, Princess Kako succeeded former Princess Mako as honorary president of the Japan Tennis Association as her sister lost her status as an Imperial Family member upon her marriage. In November, Princess Kako attended an online ceremony of the national urban greenery festival, which had previously been attended by her sister. The princess was in a dress her sister wore when she attended the previous festival in 2019. On the day of former Princess Mako's marriage, Princess Kako hugged her sister, who was leaving the family's residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward. The princess also went to a hotel in Tokyo where the couple held a press conference the same day, to support Mako Komuro, who developed complex posttraumatic stress disorder after coming under fire for a money scandal involving her husband's mother that came to light before their marriage. Close aides to Princess Kako said that she might be feeling lonely after her sister left Japan to start a new life as a couple in New York, but that the princess is trying her best as an Imperial Family member to fill the hole left by the former princess' departure. END