Kimono Photo Revealed by 'Eoljunggongju'... Why Are Japanese Nationals Worried?

Japan Imperial Household Agency Releases Photo of Princess Kako in Kimono
Princess Kako Takes on Various Official Duties

Princess Kako (佳子), niece of Emperor Naruhito (德仁), known as the "Ulzzang Princess" for her outstanding beauty, has attracted attention by revealing photos in a kimono to celebrate her 29th birthday.

Princess Gako, who revealed a photo wearing a kimono on her 29th birthday.
[Photo by Japan Imperial Household Agency]

On the 29th (local time), major foreign media reported that Princess Kako released photos wearing a kimono to mark her 29th birthday. Princess Kako stated, "I am committed to my official duties with the hope that society will become one where everyone can feel secure and have a wide range of choices."

Princess Kako has spent a busy year engaged in official duties. Aiko, the only daughter of Emperor Naruhito, is a university student, and Prince Hisahito, second in line to the throne, is a high school student, so Princess Kako is the only young royal in the Japanese Imperial Family handling official duties.

Over the past year, Princess Kako has carried out more than 10 regional official duties. In November, she made an official visit to Peru, delivering a speech at the ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of Japan-Peru diplomatic relations and meeting with Japanese-Peruvian residents.

Princess Kako of Japan.
[Photo by Asahi Shimbun Online Edition]

As Princess Kako enters the last year of her twenties, Japanese media report that public interest in the timing of her marriage and her prospective spouse is growing. Keywords related to Princess Kako's marriage frequently rank high on social networking services (SNS) in Japan. This is analyzed as an influence of the private life issues of her older sister, Princess Mako.

Princess Mako, in October 2021, faced rising opposition to her marriage due to controversies surrounding her husband's family’s private matters. In an unprecedented move for a royal, she registered her marriage without a formal wedding ceremony, held a press conference, and then moved abroad. The official duties that Princess Mako was supposed to perform became Princess Kako’s responsibility.

As a result, public anxiety in Japan has intensified, with concerns that "Princess Kako might also marry a questionable man." Last year, Princess Kako was involved in a scandal with a high school classmate who is a dentist, but she denied the relationship, stating they were not a couple.

Some expect that natural discussions about marriage will arise in two years when Princess Aiko, Emperor Naruhito’s only daughter, finishes her studies and her younger brother, Prince Hisahito, reaches adulthood.