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{{Short description|Japanese princess (born 1966)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox royalty
{{Infobox royalty
| name = Kiko
| name = Kiko
{{nobold | {{Ubl
| {{native name|ja|紀子|italics=no|paren=omit}}
}}}}
| title = Crown Princess Akishino
| title = Crown Princess Akishino
| image = Princess Kiko Rome 2016 (1).jpg
| image = Princess Kiko Rome 2016 (1).jpg
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| burial_date =
| burial_date =
| burial_place =
| burial_place =
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino]]|29 June 1990}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan]]|29 June 1990}}
| issue = {{plain list|
| issue = {{plain list|
* [[Mako Komuro]]
* [[Mako Komuro]]
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* [[Prince Hisahito of Akishino]]
* [[Prince Hisahito of Akishino]]
}}
}}
| house = [[Imperial House of Japan]] (by marriage)
| royal house = [[Imperial House of Japan]]
| father = Tatsuhiko Kawashima
| father = Tatsuhiko Kawashima
| mother = Kazuyo Sugimoto
| mother = Kazuyo Sugimoto
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{{Japanese Imperial Family}}
{{Japanese Imperial Family}}


{{nihongo|'''Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino'''<ref>[http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history03.html Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family - names] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707084848/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html |date=7 July 2007 }} - official website of the Imperial Household Agency</ref>|皇嗣文仁親王妃紀子|Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō-hi Kiko}}, born {{nihongo|'''Kiko Kawashima'''|川嶋紀子|''Kawashima Kiko''}}; 11 September 1966), is the wife of [[Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino]]. The Crown Prince is the younger brother and [[heir presumptive]] of [[Emperor Naruhito of Japan]] and the second son of [[Akihito|Emperor Emeritus Akihito]] and [[Empress Michiko|Empress Emerita Michiko]].
{{nihongo|'''Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino'''<ref>[http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history03.html Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family - names] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707084848/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html |date=7 July 2007 }} - official website of the Imperial Household Agency</ref>|皇嗣文仁親王妃紀子|Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō-hi Kiko}} (born {{nihongo|'''Kiko Kawashima'''|川嶋紀子|''Kawashima Kiko''}}; 11 September 1966), is the wife of [[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan]]. Her husband is the younger brother and [[heir presumptive]] of Emperor [[Naruhito]] and the second son of Emperor Emeritus [[Akihito]] and Empress Emerita [[Empress Michiko|Michiko]].

Kiko earned a PhD in [[humanities]] from [[Ochanomizu University]]. Her marriage to Fumihito in 1990 furthered the trend of Japanese imperial males marrying middle class commoners of academic prominence in earlier and current generations. The couple has three children: [[Mako Komuro|Mako]], [[Princess Kako of Akishino|Kako]], and [[Prince Hisahito of Akishino|Hisahito]]. Preceding Fumihito and Kiko's investiture as Crown Prince and Princess, the ongoing [[Japanese imperial succession debate]] had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding [[agnatic primogeniture]] imposed by [[World War II allies]] on the [[constitution of Japan]]. However, once Kiko and Fumihito had their son Hisahito in September 2006 he became next in the line of succession following his father. Hisahito's cousin and Emperor Naruhito's only child, [[Princess Aiko]], remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne, while debate about the possibility of having future [[Josei Tennō|empresses regnant]] continues.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan Crown Prince Fumihito formally declared 1st in line to throne |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2020/11/620836334ca3-update1-japan-crown-prince-formally-declared-1st-in-line-to-throne.html |website=english.kyodonews.net |publisher=Kyodo News |access-date=22 January 2023}}</ref>

As active working members of the imperial family, Kiko and Fumihito's schedule includes attending [[summit]]s, and organizational and global event meetings. The couple has particularly represented the Japanese imperial house in ceremonies involving [[heads of state]] and [[VIP]]s abroad. Kiko's imperial patronages cluster around medical, science and children's causes.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Kiko was born at Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital in [[Suruga-ku, Shizuoka|Suruga-ku]], [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka]], Japan. She is the eldest daughter of Tatsuhiko Kawashima (1940–2021) and his wife, Kazuyo Sugimoto. The family moved to [[Philadelphia]] in 1967 while her father attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]].<ref name=RoyalBride>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-29/news/25913165_1_kiko-kawashima-prince-aya-graduate-student|title=Japanese Royal Bride's Years At Penn: A 'Vivacious' Child|publisher=philly.com|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061633/http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-29/news/25913165_1_kiko-kawashima-prince-aya-graduate-student|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> He earned a doctorate at University of Pennsylvania in 1971 in regional science and later taught there.<ref name="shy">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/26/world/tokyo-journal-she-s-shy-and-not-so-shy-japan-s-princess-bride.html|title=Tokyo Journal; She's Shy and Not So Shy, Japan's Princess Bride|work=The New York Times|date=26 June 1990 |access-date=14 May 2015|last1=Sanger |first1=David E. }}</ref>
Kiko was born at Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital in [[Suruga-ku, Shizuoka|Suruga-ku]], [[Shizuoka, Shizuoka|Shizuoka]], Japan. She is the eldest daughter of Tatsuhiko Kawashima (1940–2021) and his wife, Kazuyo Sugimoto (born 1942). The family moved to [[Philadelphia]] in 1967 while her father attended the [[University of Pennsylvania]].<ref name=RoyalBride>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-29/news/25913165_1_kiko-kawashima-prince-aya-graduate-student|title=Japanese Royal Bride's Years At Penn: A 'Vivacious' Child|publisher=philly.com|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061633/http://articles.philly.com/1990-06-29/news/25913165_1_kiko-kawashima-prince-aya-graduate-student|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> He earned a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971 in regional science and later taught there.<ref name="shy">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/26/world/tokyo-journal-she-s-shy-and-not-so-shy-japan-s-princess-bride.html|title=Tokyo Journal; She's Shy and Not So Shy, Japan's Princess Bride|work=The New York Times|date=26 June 1990 |access-date=14 May 2015|last1=Sanger |first1=David E. }}</ref>


Kiko attended elementary and high school in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]], when her father became the chief researcher at The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in [[Laxenburg]], Austria, where he studied spatial science and [[Laser Interferometer Space Antenna|NGO]] activities.<ref name="shy"/> The future princess became fluent in [[English language|English]] and [[German language|German]].<ref name="shy"/><ref name=commoner/> In 1972, they moved back to Japan, where her father taught economics at [[Gakushuin University]] in Tokyo.<ref name=RoyalBride/><ref name=commoner>[http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-09-13/news/8901120704_1_prince-aya-kiko-kawashima-empress-michiko "Japanese Prince Plans To Marry A Commoner"]. ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. 13 September 1989.</ref> She lived with her parents and brother in a small on-campus apartment in Tokyo.<ref name=commoner/> She graduated from the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Letters of [[Gakushuin University]] with a [[Bachelor of Letters]] degree in [[Psychology]] in 1989 and received a [[Master of Humanities]] degree in [[social psychology|Social Psychology]] from the [[graduate school|Graduate School]] of Gakushuin University in 1995. She received the [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] degree in [[Humanities]] from [[Ochanomizu University]].
Kiko attended elementary and high school in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]], when her father became the chief researcher at the [[International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis]] (IIASA) in [[Laxenburg]], Austria, where he studied spatial science and [[Laser Interferometer Space Antenna|NGO]] activities.<ref name="shy"/> The future princess became fluent in [[English language|English]] and [[German language|German]].<ref name="shy"/><ref name=commoner/> In 1972, they moved back to Japan, where her father taught economics at [[Gakushuin University]] in Tokyo.<ref name=RoyalBride/><ref name=commoner>[https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/09/13/japanese-prince-plans-to-marry-a-commoner/ "Japanese Prince Plans To Marry A Commoner"]. ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. 13 September 1989.</ref> She lived with her parents and younger brother in a small on-campus apartment in Tokyo.<ref name=commoner/> She graduated from the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Letters of [[Gakushuin University]] with a [[Bachelor of Letters]] degree in [[Psychology]] in 1989 and received a [[Master of Humanities]] degree in [[social psychology|Social Psychology]] from the [[graduate school|Graduate School]] of Gakushuin University in 1995. She received a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] degree in [[Humanities]] from [[Ochanomizu University]].


She participated in the [[Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program]] (SSEAYP) in 1987 and continues to be a supporter of the program.
She participated in the [[Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program]] (SSEAYP) in 1987 and continues to be a supporter of the program.


==Marriage==
==Marriage==
{{multiple image
⚫
[[File:Kikosamagoseikon.jpg|thumb|left|A newly engaged Kiko Kawashima in 1990]]
| align = left
|perrow = 1/1
| total_width = 250
| image1 = Kikosamagoseikon.jpg
⚫
| caption1 = A newly engaged Kiko Kawashima in 1990
| image2 = Prince and Princess Akishino (cropped).jpg
| caption2 = Crown Princess Kiko and Crown Prince Fumihito in 2016, the year after their silver wedding anniversary (25 years)
| image3 = 山鳶尾 Iris setosa -比利時 Ghent University Botanical Garden, Belgium- (9200911388).jpg
| caption3 = Bristle-pointed beachhead iris ''[[Iris setosa]]'' ({{nihongo|''hiougi-ayame'', 'cypress fan' iris|檜扇菖蒲}}), designated imperial personal emblem of Kiko
}}
Prince Fumihito first proposed marriage to Kiko Kawashima on 26 June 1986 while they were both undergraduates at Gakushuin. Three years later, the [[Imperial Household Council]] announced the engagement on 12 September 1989<ref name=commoner/><ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/rc20060329a4.html "Princess Akishino's pregnancy"]. ''[[Japan Times]].'' March 29, 2006.</ref> and the engagement ceremony was held on 12 January 1990. No marriage date would be set until the official one-year mourning period ended for Fumihito's grandfather, Emperor [[Hirohito]], who had died in January 1989.<ref name="shy"/>
Prince Fumihito first proposed marriage to Kiko Kawashima on 26 June 1986 while they were both undergraduates at Gakushuin. Three years later, the [[Imperial Household Council]] announced the engagement on 12 September 1989<ref name=commoner/><ref>[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/rc20060329a4.html "Princess Akishino's pregnancy"]. ''[[Japan Times]].'' March 29, 2006.</ref> and the engagement ceremony was held on 12 January 1990. No marriage date would be set until the official one-year mourning period ended for Fumihito's grandfather, Emperor [[Hirohito]], who had died in January 1989.<ref name="shy"/>


The wedding took place at an exclusive shrine at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]] on 29 June 1990.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118247,00.html "Scenes from An Uncommon Marriage: Japan's Prince Aya Weds a Cinderella Psych Major, Kiko Kawashima"]. ''People''. June 1990.</ref> The Imperial Household Council had previously granted the prince permission to establish a new branch of the Imperial Family and the Emperor granted him the title ''Akishino-no-miya'' (Prince Akishino) on his wedding day. Upon marriage, his bride became ''Her Imperial Highness The Princess Akishino,'' known informally as ''Princess Kiko''. As of tradition dictates, upon her entry into the imperial family and like other members, she received a personal [[emblem]] ({{nihongo|''o-shirushi''|お印}}): [[iris setosa]] ({{nihongo|''hiougi-ayame''|檜扇菖蒲}}).
The wedding took place at an exclusive shrine at the [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]] on 29 June 1990.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20118247,00.html "Scenes from An Uncommon Marriage: Japan's Prince Aya Weds a Cinderella Psych Major, Kiko Kawashima"]. ''People''. June 1990.</ref> The Imperial Household Council had previously granted the prince permission to establish a new branch of the Imperial Family and the Emperor granted him the title ''Akishino-no-miya'' (Prince Akishino) on his wedding day. Upon marriage, his bride became ''Her Imperial Highness The Princess Akishino,'' known informally as ''Princess Kiko''. As tradition dictates, upon her entry into the imperial family and like other members, she received a personal [[emblem]] ({{nihongo|''o-shirushi''|お印}}): the blossom of the bristle-pointed beachhead iris ''[[Iris setosa]]'' ({{nihongo|''hiougi-ayame'', cypress fan iris|檜扇菖蒲}}) which blooms in intense shades of dark lavender to blue.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iris setosa (Bristle-Pointed Iris) |url=https://www.gardenia.net/plant/iris-setosa |website=gardenia.net |access-date=24 January 2023}}</ref>


The engagement and marriage of Prince Akishino to the former Kiko Kawashima broke precedent in several respects. At the time, the groom was still a graduate student at Gakushuin and he would be married before his older brother, [[Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan|Crown Prince Naruhito]]. Officials at the [[Imperial Household Agency]] were opposed to the marriage, and as was Prince Akishino's paternal-grandmother [[Empress Kōjun|Empress Dowager Nagako]].<ref name=commoner/> As the first woman from a middle-class background to marry into the imperial family, she was given the nickname "the apartment princess" by the media.<ref name=commoner/> Although Empress Michiko was also born a commoner, she was from a very wealthy family; her father was the president of a large flour-milling company.
The engagement and marriage of Prince Akishino to the former Kiko Kawashima broke precedent in several respects. At the time, the groom was still a graduate student at Gakushuin and he would be married before his older brother, [[Crown Prince Naruhito]]. Officials at the [[Imperial Household Agency]] were opposed to the marriage, and so was Prince Akishino's paternal grandmother [[Empress Nagako|Empress Dowager Nagako]].<ref name=commoner/> As the second woman from a middle-class and academician background to marry into the imperial family after her mother-in-law [[Empress Michiko]], she was given the nickname "the apartment princess" by the media.<ref name=commoner/> Although Empress Michiko was also born a commoner, she was from a very wealthy family; her father was the president of a large flour-milling company.


The Princess had said repeatedly that she wanted to finish her master's degree, if circumstances permitted.<ref name="shy"/> She completed her post-graduate studies in psychology between her official duties and received her master's degree in psychology in 1995. She is known for her continuing interest in [[deaf culture]] and the Deaf in Japan. She learned [[Japanese sign language]] and she is a skilled [[sign language]] [[interpreting|interpreter]].<ref>Valpy, Michael. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-emperor-and-the-tennis-pro/article4277884/?page=all "The emperor and the tennis pro,"] ''Globe and Mail'' (Canada). June 27, 2009; [http://s02.megalodon.jp/2009-0829-2305-44/news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye4221919.html 紀子さま、高校生手話コンテストで挨拶] 2009年8月29日, TBS</ref> She attends the "Sign Language Speech Contest for High School Students" held every August, and "Praising Mothers Raising Children with Hearing Impairments" every December. In October 2008, she participated in the "38th National Deaf Women's Conference."<ref name=ATP&PA/> She also signs in informal Deaf gatherings.<ref>[http://deafjapan.blogspot.com/2010/09/princess-kiko-chats-with-deaf-soccer.html "Princess Kiko chats with Deaf soccer players in sign language after film show,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708032818/http://deafjapan.blogspot.com/2010/09/princess-kiko-chats-with-deaf-soccer.html |date=8 July 2011 }} ''Deaf Japan News.'' September 7, 2010.</ref>
The Princess had said repeatedly that she wanted to finish her master's degree if circumstances permitted.<ref name="shy"/> She completed her post-graduate studies in psychology between her official duties and received her master's degree in psychology in 1995. She is known for her continuing interest in [[deaf culture]] and the Deaf in Japan. She learned [[Japanese sign language]] and is a skilled [[sign language]] [[interpreting|interpreter]].<ref>Valpy, Michael. [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/the-emperor-and-the-tennis-pro/article4277884/?page=all "The emperor and the tennis pro,"] ''Globe and Mail'' (Canada). June 27, 2009; [http://s02.megalodon.jp/2009-0829-2305-44/news.tbs.co.jp/newseye/tbs_newseye4221919.html 紀子さま、高校生手話コンテストで挨拶] 2009年8月29日, TBS</ref> She attends the "Sign Language Speech Contest for High School Students" held every August, and "Praising Mothers Raising Children with Hearing Impairments" every December. In October 2008, she participated in the "38th National Deaf Women's Conference."<ref name=ATP&PA/> She also signs in informal Deaf gatherings.<ref>[http://deafjapan.blogspot.com/2010/09/princess-kiko-chats-with-deaf-soccer.html "Princess Kiko chats with Deaf soccer players in sign language after film show,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708032818/http://deafjapan.blogspot.com/2010/09/princess-kiko-chats-with-deaf-soccer.html |date=8 July 2011 }} ''Deaf Japan News.'' September 7, 2010.</ref>


In March 2013, Kiko was granted a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] degree in [[Psychology]] at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, [[Ochanomizu University]], for her dissertation entitled "Knowledge, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors related to tuberculosis: A study based on questionnaire surveys with seminar participants of the National Federation of Community Women's Organizations for TB Control and female college students."<ref name=ATP&PA>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity03.html|title=Activities of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino and their family|publisher=kunaicho.go.jp|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref>
In March 2013, Kiko was granted a [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] degree in [[Psychology]] at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, [[Ochanomizu University]], for her dissertation entitled "Knowledge, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors related to [[tuberculosis]]: A study based on questionnaire surveys with seminar participants of the National Federation of Community Women's Organizations for TB Control and female college students."<ref name=ATP&PA>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity03.html|title=Activities of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino and their family|publisher=kunaicho.go.jp|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref>

⚫
While pregnant with her third child, Kiko was diagnosed with [[placenta praevia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/03/press/kaiken-h18.html|title=Press Conference on the Occasion of the Birthday of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino (2006)|publisher=The Imperial Household Agency|access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> The princess also had [[carpal tunnel syndrome]] osteoporosis aggravated by child-nursing, a symptom common among middle-aged women, her doctor revealed on 14 December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/culture/imperial/071214/imp0712141605000-n1.htm |title=紀子さま、左腕に痛み - Msn産経ニュース |access-date=2007-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216121548/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/culture/imperial/071214/imp0712141605000-n1.htm |archive-date=16 December 2007 }}</ref>


===Children===
===Children===
{{Wikinews|Princess Kiko gives birth to imperial baby boy}}
[[File:Prince Fumihito of Akishino and his family.jpg|thumb|Fumihito and Kiko with their two daughters]]
[[File:Prince Fumihito of Akishino and his family.jpg|thumb|Fumihito and Kiko with their two daughters]]
Since 1997, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko and their children have maintained a principal residence on the grounds of the [[Akasaka Palace|Akasaka Estate]] in [[Motoakasaka]], [[Minato, Tokyo]]. The couple have two daughters and one son:
Since 1997, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko and their children have maintained a principal residence on the grounds of the [[Akasaka Palace|Akasaka Estate]] in [[Motoakasaka]], [[Minato, Tokyo]]. The couple have three children (two daughters and one son):


* {{nihongo|[[Mako Komuro]]|小室 眞子|Komuro Mako|extra= born 23 October 1991 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]]}}; formerly {{nihongo|Princess Mako|眞子内親王|Mako Naishinnō}}; following her civil marriage to lawyer Kei Komuro on 26 October 2021, Mako gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by [[Imperial Household Law|1947 Imperial Household Law]].
* {{nihongo|[[Mako Komuro]]|小室 眞子|Komuro Mako|extra= born 23 October 1991 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]]}}; formerly {{nihongo|Princess Mako|眞子内親王|Mako Naishinnō}}; following her civil marriage to lawyer Kei Komuro on 26 October 2021, Mako gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by [[Imperial Household Law|1947 Imperial Household Law]].
* {{nihongo|[[Princess Kako of Akishino]]|佳子内親王|Kako Naishinnō|extra= born 29 December 1994 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]]}}
* {{nihongo|[[Princess Kako of Akishino]]|佳子内親王|Kako Naishinnō|extra= born 29 December 1994 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in [[Tokyo Imperial Palace]]}}
* {{nihongo|[[Prince Hisahito of Akishino]]|悠仁親王|Hisahito Shinnō|extra= born 6 September 2006 at Aiiku Hospital in [[Tokyo]]}}<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5337374.stm "Japan royal baby named Hisahito,"] [[BBC News]]. September 12, 2006.</ref>
* {{nihongo|[[Prince Hisahito of Akishino]]|悠仁親王|Hisahito Shinnō|extra= born 6 September 2006 at Aiiku Hospital in [[Tokyo]], next in line to the [[Chrysanthemum Throne]] after his father}}<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5337374.stm "Japan royal baby named Hisahito,"] [[BBC News]]. September 12, 2006.</ref>


==Official duties==
==Official duties==
The Prince and Princess are called upon to meet with important overseas visitors to improve [[diplomatic relations]]. The Princess was chosen as one of the [[Young Global Leaders]] for 2007, drawn from a poll of 4000 candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globis.co.jp/en/news/release/20070118_gmb.html|title=Globis Management Bank President Etsuko Okajima Selected as Young Global Leader 2007 by World Economic Forum|publisher=Globis|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518072416/http://www.globis.co.jp/en/news/release/20070118_gmb.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The Prince and Princess are called upon to meet with important overseas visitors to improve [[diplomatic relations]]. The Princess was chosen as one of the [[Young Global Leaders]] for 2007, drawn from a poll of 4000 candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globis.co.jp/en/news/release/20070118_gmb.html|title=Globis Management Bank President Etsuko Okajima Selected as Young Global Leader 2007 by World Economic Forum|publisher=Globis|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518072416/http://www.globis.co.jp/en/news/release/20070118_gmb.html|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The Prince and Princess have made numerous official visits to foreign countries. In June 2002, they became the first members of the Imperial Family to visit [[Mongolia]], in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2000/5/511.html|title=Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino to Visit Mongolia|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2000/06/10/national/prince-princess-to-visit-mongolia/|title=Prince, Princess to visit Mongolia|date=10 June 2000 |publisher=The Japan Times|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In October 2002, they visited the [[Netherlands]] to attend the funeral of [[Prince Claus of the Netherlands]].<ref name=OverseasVisits>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/shinzen/gaikoku/gaikoku-1999-2008.html|title=List of Overseas Visits by the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Family (1999–2008)|publisher=kunaicho.go.jp|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In September 2003, the Prince and Princess made goodwill visits to [[Fiji]], [[Tonga]] and [[Samoa]], again, the first time ever members of the Imperial Family had visited these countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/fiji/data.html|title=Japan-Fiji Relations|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/Japan_Bulletin_Vol_26_No.3.pdf|title=Japanese Royal visit to Samoa|publisher=Embassy of Japan in New Zealand|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In March 2004, the Prince and Princess returned to the Netherlands for the funeral of [[Queen Juliana of the Netherlands]].<ref name=OverseasVisits/> In January 2005, they visited [[Luxembourg]] to attend the funeral of [[Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium|Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte]].<ref name=OverseasVisits/> From October to November 2006, they visited [[Paraguay]] to commemorate the 70th anniversary of [[Japanese diaspora|Japanese emigration]] to that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aaj.tv/2006/11/prince-akishino-to-visit-paraguay-on-wednesday/|title=Prince Akishino to visit Paraguay on Wednesday|publisher=AAJ News|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In January 2008, they visited [[Indonesia]] for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/19/content_7452104.htm|title=Indonesian president meets Japanese Prince Akishino|publisher=China View|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822200636/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/19/content_7452104.htm|archive-date=22 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The Prince and Princess have made numerous official visits to foreign countries. In June 2002, they became the first members of the Imperial Family to visit [[Mongolia]], in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2000/5/511.html|title=Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino to Visit Mongolia|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2000/06/10/national/prince-princess-to-visit-mongolia/|title=Prince, Princess to visit Mongolia|date=10 June 2000 |publisher=The Japan Times|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In October 2002, they visited the [[Netherlands]] to attend the funeral of [[Prince Claus of the Netherlands]].<ref name=OverseasVisits>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/shinzen/gaikoku/gaikoku-1999-2008.html|title=List of Overseas Visits by the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Family (1999–2008)|publisher=kunaicho.go.jp|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In September 2003, the Prince and Princess made goodwill visits to [[Fiji]], [[Tonga]] and [[Samoa]], again, the first time ever members of the Imperial Family had visited these countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/fiji/data.html|title=Japan-Fiji Relations|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/pdf/Japan_Bulletin_Vol_26_No.3.pdf|title=Japanese Royal visit to Samoa|publisher=Embassy of Japan in New Zealand|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> In March 2004, the Prince and Princess returned to the Netherlands for the funeral of [[Queen Juliana of the Netherlands]].<ref name=OverseasVisits/> In January 2005, they visited [[Luxembourg]] to attend the funeral of [[Princess Joséphine Charlotte of Belgium|Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte]].<ref name=OverseasVisits/> From October to November 2006, they visited [[Paraguay]] to commemorate the 70th anniversary of [[Japanese diaspora|Japanese emigration]] to that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aaj.tv/2006/11/prince-akishino-to-visit-paraguay-on-wednesday/|title=Prince Akishino to visit Paraguay on Wednesday|publisher=AAJ News|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507145136/http://www.aaj.tv/2006/11/prince-akishino-to-visit-paraguay-on-wednesday/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In January 2008, they visited [[Indonesia]] for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/19/content_7452104.htm|title=Indonesian president meets Japanese Prince Akishino|publisher=China View|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822200636/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-01/19/content_7452104.htm|archive-date=22 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


[[File:Fumihito and Kako visited Brazil National Congress 2015 (3).jpg|thumb|alt=Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko observe National Congress of Brazil, 2015|Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko observe [[National Congress of Brazil]], 2015]]
⚫
They visited [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Hungary]], and [[Romania]] in May 2009 on the occasion of "Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_788912330|title=Prince and princess Akishino on official visit to Bulgaria|publisher=bulgarian.ibox.bg|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tokyo.mae.ro/en/node/396|title=Political relations|publisher=Embassy of Romania to Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> and the [[Netherlands]] in August 2009 for the commemorative event of the 400th anniversary of the trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gpdhome.typepad.com/royalblognl_news_summary/2009/08/prince-akishino-and-his-wife-princess-kiko-arrived-in-the-netherlands-to-mark-the-400th-anniversary-of-the-commencement-o.html|title=Dutch appeal to visiting Prince Akishino|publisher=typepad.com|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> They have visited [[Costa Rica]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2011/01/28/japanese-royal-visit-a-first-in-costa-rica|title=Japanese royals visit Costa Rica|date=28 January 2011 |publisher=The Tico Times|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> [[Uganda]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=631931&CatID=413 |title=Japan royals visit Uganda |publisher=New Vision |access-date=14 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518113910/http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=631931&CatID=413 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> [[Croatia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik.com/home/26-news/559-japanese-prince-and-princess-akishino-to-visit-croatia|title=Japanese prince and princess Akishino to visit Croatia|publisher=dubrovnik.com|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> the [[Slovak Republic]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/slovak/data.html|title=Japan-Slovakia Relations|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> [[Slovenia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/japanese-prince-and-princes-akishino-to-visit-slovenia|title=Japanese Prince and Princes Akishino to Visit Slovenia|publisher=Slovenian Times|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> [[Peru]], and [[Argentina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-prince-akishino-and-princess-kiko-of-japan-visit-peru-102095|title=Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan visit Peru|publisher=Peru this week|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100710/http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-prince-akishino-and-princess-kiko-of-japan-visit-peru-102095|archive-date=18 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/106465.php|title=Prince, Princess Akishino in Argentina|publisher=News on Japan|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092734/http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/106465.php|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> From June to July 2014, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visited Republic of [[Zambia]] and United Republic of [[Tanzania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zm.emb-japan.go.jp/en/topic/2014.7.2.Prince%20Princess%20Akishino.E.html|title=Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino's visit to Zambia|publisher=Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/news/japan-prince-visit.html|title=Prince Akishino of Japan visits Serengeti and Ngorongoro over the weekend|publisher=The official website of Tanzania National Parks|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327042035/http://tanzaniaparks.com/news/japan-prince-visit.html|archive-date=27 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

⚫
They visited [[Austria]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Hungary]], and [[Romania]] in May 2009 on the occasion of "Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bulgarian.ibox.bg/news/id_788912330|title=Prince and princess Akishino on official visit to Bulgaria|publisher=bulgarian.ibox.bg|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tokyo.mae.ro/en/node/396|title=Political relations|publisher=Embassy of Romania to Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> and the [[Netherlands]] in August 2009 for the commemorative event of the 400th anniversary of the trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gpdhome.typepad.com/royalblognl_news_summary/2009/08/prince-akishino-and-his-wife-princess-kiko-arrived-in-the-netherlands-to-mark-the-400th-anniversary-of-the-commencement-o.html|title=Dutch appeal to visiting Prince Akishino|publisher=typepad.com|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> They have visited [[Costa Rica]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ticotimes.net/2011/01/28/japanese-royal-visit-a-first-in-costa-rica|title=Japanese royals visit Costa Rica|date=28 January 2011 |publisher=The Tico Times|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> [[Uganda]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=631931&CatID=413 |title=Japan royals visit Uganda |publisher=New Vision |access-date=14 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518113910/http://www.newvision.co.ug/mobile/Detail.aspx?NewsID=631931&CatID=413 |archive-date=18 May 2015 }}</ref> [[Croatia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubrovnik.com/home/26-news/559-japanese-prince-and-princess-akishino-to-visit-croatia|title=Japanese prince and princess Akishino to visit Croatia|publisher=dubrovnik.com|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> the [[Slovakia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/slovak/data.html|title=Japan-Slovakia Relations|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> [[Slovenia]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sloveniatimes.com/japanese-prince-and-princes-akishino-to-visit-slovenia|title=Japanese Prince and Princes Akishino to Visit Slovenia|publisher=Slovenian Times|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=25 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425034451/https://sloveniatimes.com/japanese-prince-and-princes-akishino-to-visit-slovenia/|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Peru]], and [[Argentina]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-prince-akishino-and-princess-kiko-of-japan-visit-peru-102095|title=Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan visit Peru|publisher=Peru this week|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518100710/http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-prince-akishino-and-princess-kiko-of-japan-visit-peru-102095|archive-date=18 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/106465.php|title=Prince, Princess Akishino in Argentina|publisher=News on Japan|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092734/http://newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/106465.php|archive-date=18 May 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> From June to July 2014, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visited [[Zambia]] and [[Tanzania]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zm.emb-japan.go.jp/en/topic/2014.7.2.Prince%20Princess%20Akishino.E.html|title=Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino's visit to Zambia|publisher=Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanzaniaparks.com/news/japan-prince-visit.html|title=Prince Akishino of Japan visits Serengeti and Ngorongoro over the weekend|publisher=The official website of Tanzania National Parks|access-date=14 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327042035/http://tanzaniaparks.com/news/japan-prince-visit.html|archive-date=27 March 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Buckingham Palace reception (52873211881).jpg|thumb|The Crown Prince and Princess with King [[Charles III]] at [[Buckingham Palace]], 2023]]

⚫
In June–July 2019, the couple carried out the first official overseas visit by the imperial family following the accession of Emperor Naruhito. They visited Poland and Finland to participate in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and the two countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/06/27/national/crown-prince-akishino-crown-princess-kiko-leave-european-trip/|title=Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko leave for European trip|publisher=The Japan Times|date=27 June 2019|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, the couple and their son, Hisahito, arrived in [[Bhutan]] for a visit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/20/national/japans-crown-prince-akishino-family-meet-bhutans-king/|title=Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and family meet Bhutan's king|publisher=The Japan Times|date=20 August 2019|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425183705/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/20/national/japans-crown-prince-akishino-family-meet-bhutans-king/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2023 they were guests at the [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla|coronation]] of King [[Charles III]] and [[Queen Camilla]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a43701673/japan-royals-charles-coronation-2023/|title=Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko Arrive at Kings Charles's Coronation|publisher=Town and Country Magazine|date=6 May 2023| access-date=7 May 2023}}</ref>

==Health==
⚫
While pregnant with her third child, Kiko was diagnosed with [[placenta praevia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/03/press/kaiken-h18.html|title=Press Conference on the Occasion of the Birthday of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino (2006)|publisher=The Imperial Household Agency|access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> The princess also had [[carpal tunnel syndrome]] osteoporosis aggravated by child-nursing, a symptom common among middle-aged women, her doctor revealed on 14 December 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/culture/imperial/071214/imp0712141605000-n1.htm |title=紀子さま、左腕に痛み - Msn産経ニュース |access-date=2007-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216121548/http://sankei.jp.msn.com/culture/imperial/071214/imp0712141605000-n1.htm |archive-date=16 December 2007 }}</ref>


In late 2023 it was reported that Kiko was suffering from a gastrointestinal illness which prevented her from eating "normal meals" though an [[endoscopy]] performed on her in January 2024 found no abnormalities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan%27s-crown-princess-kiko-undergoes-endoscopy-no-issues-found|title=Crown Princess Kiko undergoes endoscopy; no abnormalities found|work=Japan Today|date=11 January 2024|access-date=6 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240115231344/https://japantoday.com/category/national/japan's-crown-princess-kiko-undergoes-endoscopy-no-issues-found|archive-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>
⚫
In June–July 2019, the couple carried out the first official overseas visit by the imperial family following the accession of Emperor Naruhito. They visited Poland and Finland to participate in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and the two countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/06/27/national/crown-prince-akishino-crown-princess-kiko-leave-european-trip/|title=Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko leave for European trip|publisher=The Japan Times|date=27 June 2019|access-date=14 July 2019}}</ref> In August 2019, the couple and their son, Hisahito, arrived in [[Bhutan]] for a visit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/08/20/national/japans-crown-prince-akishino-family-meet-bhutans-king/|title=Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and family meet Bhutan's king|publisher=The Japan Times|date=20 August 2019|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref>


==Honours==
==Honours==
Line 78: Line 102:
===Foreign===
===Foreign===
* {{Flag|Belgium}}:
* {{Flag|Belgium}}:
**[[File:BEL Kroonorde Grootkruis BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Belgium)|Order of the Crown]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3KHeMJBMYA/V_03d3MuDdI/AAAAAAABMuI/7w0m_OCm4hgRx12WScfhZuvVBCh8T0HOgCLcB/s600/Crown%2BPrince%2BNaruhito-Crown-Princess-Masako-Prince-Akishino-and-Princess-Akishino.jpg |format=JPG|title=Photographic image|website=3.bp.blogspot.com|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.belgaimage.be/editorial/image/96965778/coverage/index:3-size:20-pos:3|title=Belga Image|access-date=11 March 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000359/http://portal.belgaimage.be/editorial/image/96965778/coverage/index:3-size:20-pos:3|archive-date=19 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
**[[File:BEL Kroonorde Grootkruis BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Belgium)|Order of the Crown]] (11 October 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b3KHeMJBMYA/V_03d3MuDdI/AAAAAAABMuI/7w0m_OCm4hgRx12WScfhZuvVBCh8T0HOgCLcB/s600/Crown%2BPrince%2BNaruhito-Crown-Princess-Masako-Prince-Akishino-and-Princess-Akishino.jpg |format=JPG|title=Photographic image|website=3.bp.blogspot.com|access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.belgaimage.be/editorial/image/96965778/coverage/index:3-size:20-pos:3|title=Belga Image|access-date=11 March 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019000359/http://portal.belgaimage.be/editorial/image/96965778/coverage/index:3-size:20-pos:3|archive-date=19 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* {{flag|Luxembourg}}:
**[[File:LUX Ordre de Mérite civil et militaire d'Adolphe de Nassau - Grand-croix BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of Adolphe of Nassau]]
* {{flag|Netherlands}}:
* {{flag|Netherlands}}:
**[[File:NED Kroonorde A1 BAR.png|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Netherlands)|Order of the Crown]] (24 October 2014)<ref>[http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/nieuws/nieuwsberichten/2014/oktober/decoraties-staatsbezoeken-japan-en-republiek-korea/ Decoraties Staatsbezoeken Japan en Republiek Korea] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104190003/https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/nieuws/nieuwsberichten/2014/oktober/decoraties-staatsbezoeken-japan-en-republiek-korea/ |date= 4 November 2014}} – website of the Dutch Royal House</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/bc/f3/b2/bcf3b27afb026fe9a8c5e5de4af360c8.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
**[[File:NED Kroonorde A1 BAR.png|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Crown (Netherlands)|Order of the Crown]] (24 October 2014)<ref>[http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/nieuws/nieuwsberichten/2014/oktober/decoraties-staatsbezoeken-japan-en-republiek-korea/ Decoraties Staatsbezoeken Japan en Republiek Korea] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104190003/https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/nieuws/nieuwsberichten/2014/oktober/decoraties-staatsbezoeken-japan-en-republiek-korea/ |date= 4 November 2014}} – website of the Dutch Royal House</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/bc/f3/b2/bcf3b27afb026fe9a8c5e5de4af360c8.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=/s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
* {{flag|Peru}}:
* {{flag|Peru}}:
**[[File:PER Order of the Sun of Peru - Grand Cross BAR.png|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru|Order of the Sun]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yuko2ch.net/mako/makok/src/1424177763720.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Yuko2ch.net |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
**[[File:PER Order of the Sun of Peru - Grand Cross BAR.png|70px]] Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru|Order of the Sun]] (27 January 2014)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yuko2ch.net/mako/makok/src/1424177763720.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Yuko2ch.net |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
* {{Flag|Spain}}:
* {{Flag|Spain}}:
**[[File:ESP Isabella Catholic Order GC.svg|70px]] Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]] (8 November 2008)<ref>[https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/11/10/pdfs/A44705-44705.pdf Boletín Oficial del Estado]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/11/10/pdfs/A44705-44705.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201322/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/11/10/pdfs/A44705-44705.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yuko2ch.net/mako/makok/src/1226427003041.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Yuko2ch.net |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
**[[File:ESP Isabella Catholic Order GC.svg|70px]] Dame Grand Cross of the [[Order of Isabella the Catholic]] (8 November 2008)<ref>{{Cite web |title=BOE-A-2008-18121 Real Decreto 1874/2008, de 8 de noviembre, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica a Su Alteza Imperial la Princesa Kiko Akishino de Japón. |url=https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2008-18121 |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=Boletín Oficial del Estado |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/11/10/pdfs/A44705-44705.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201322/https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2008/11/10/pdfs/A44705-44705.pdf |archive-date= 4 March 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yuko2ch.net/mako/makok/src/1226427003041.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Yuko2ch.net |access-date=2017-03-11}}</ref>
* {{flag|Sweden}}:
**[[File:Order of the Polar Star (after 1975) - Commander Grand Cross.svg|70px]] Commander Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Polar Star]]


===Honorary positions===
===Honorary positions===
* Reserve Member of the [[Imperial Household Council|Imperial House Council]]
* Reserve Member of the [[Imperial Household Council|Imperial House Council]]<ref name="honorary-positions">{{cite web|url=https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history03.html|title=Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family|work=The Imperial Household Agency|accessdate=3 May 2023}}</ref>
* Patroness of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association
* Patroness of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association<ref name="honorary-positions"/>
* President of the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-kai
* President of the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-kai<ref name="honorary-positions"/>
* Honorary Patroness of the Society for the Protection of the Cultural Heritage of Daishoji Imperial Convent<ref name="honorary-positions"/>
* Honorary Vice-president of the [[Japanese Red Cross]] Society
* Honorary Research Fellow of the [[Japan Society for the Promotion of Science]]
* Honorary Vice-president of the [[Japanese Red Cross Society]]<ref name="honorary-positions"/>
* Honorary Research Fellow of the [[Japan Society for the Promotion of Science]]<ref name="honorary-positions"/>
* Honorary Research Fellow of the Ochanomizu University Institute for Education and Human Development<ref name="honorary-positions"/>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 105: Line 127:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Princess Akishino}}
{{commons category|Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino}}
* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity03.html Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family] at the Imperial Household Agency website
* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity03.html Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family] at the Imperial Household Agency website


Line 129: Line 151:
[[Category:20th-century Japanese women]]
[[Category:20th-century Japanese women]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese women]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese women]]
[[Category:Japanese Shintoists]]
[[Category:20th-century Shintoists]]
[[Category:21st-century Shintoists]]
[[Category:Sign language interpreters]]
[[Category:Sign language interpreters]]
[[Category:Princesses by marriage]]
[[Category:Princesses by marriage]]
[[Category:Crown princesses]]

Latest revision as of 22:42, 19 November 2024

Kiko
  • 紀子
Crown Princess Akishino
Kiko in 2016
BornKiko Kawashima (川嶋紀子)
(1966-09-11) 11 September 1966 (age 58)
Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1990)​
Issue
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherTatsuhiko Kawashima
MotherKazuyo Sugimoto

Kiko, Crown Princess Akishino[1] (皇嗣文仁親王妃紀子, Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō-hi Kiko) (born Kiko Kawashima (川嶋紀子, Kawashima Kiko); 11 September 1966), is the wife of Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan. Her husband is the younger brother and heir presumptive of Emperor Naruhito and the second son of Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.

Kiko earned a PhD in humanities from Ochanomizu University. Her marriage to Fumihito in 1990 furthered the trend of Japanese imperial males marrying middle class commoners of academic prominence in earlier and current generations. The couple has three children: Mako, Kako, and Hisahito. Preceding Fumihito and Kiko's investiture as Crown Prince and Princess, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture imposed by World War II allies on the constitution of Japan. However, once Kiko and Fumihito had their son Hisahito in September 2006 he became next in the line of succession following his father. Hisahito's cousin and Emperor Naruhito's only child, Princess Aiko, remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues.[2]

As active working members of the imperial family, Kiko and Fumihito's schedule includes attending summits, and organizational and global event meetings. The couple has particularly represented the Japanese imperial house in ceremonies involving heads of state and VIPs abroad. Kiko's imperial patronages cluster around medical, science and children's causes.

Early life

[edit]

Kiko was born at Shizuoka Saiseikai General Hospital in Suruga-ku, Shizuoka, Japan. She is the eldest daughter of Tatsuhiko Kawashima (1940–2021) and his wife, Kazuyo Sugimoto (born 1942). The family moved to Philadelphia in 1967 while her father attended the University of Pennsylvania.[3] He earned a doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1971 in regional science and later taught there.[4]

Kiko attended elementary and high school in Vienna, Austria, when her father became the chief researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria, where he studied spatial science and NGO activities.[4] The future princess became fluent in English and German.[4][5] In 1972, they moved back to Japan, where her father taught economics at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.[3][5] She lived with her parents and younger brother in a small on-campus apartment in Tokyo.[5] She graduated from the Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Letters of Gakushuin University with a Bachelor of Letters degree in Psychology in 1989 and received a Master of Humanities degree in Social Psychology from the Graduate School of Gakushuin University in 1995. She received a PhD degree in Humanities from Ochanomizu University.

She participated in the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP) in 1987 and continues to be a supporter of the program.

Marriage

[edit]
A newly engaged Kiko Kawashima in 1990
Crown Princess Kiko and Crown Prince Fumihito in 2016, the year after their silver wedding anniversary (25 years)
Bristle-pointed beachhead iris Iris setosa (hiougi-ayame, 'cypress fan' iris (檜扇菖蒲)), designated imperial personal emblem of Kiko

Prince Fumihito first proposed marriage to Kiko Kawashima on 26 June 1986 while they were both undergraduates at Gakushuin. Three years later, the Imperial Household Council announced the engagement on 12 September 1989[5][6] and the engagement ceremony was held on 12 January 1990. No marriage date would be set until the official one-year mourning period ended for Fumihito's grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, who had died in January 1989.[4]

The wedding took place at an exclusive shrine at the Tokyo Imperial Palace on 29 June 1990.[7] The Imperial Household Council had previously granted the prince permission to establish a new branch of the Imperial Family and the Emperor granted him the title Akishino-no-miya (Prince Akishino) on his wedding day. Upon marriage, his bride became Her Imperial Highness The Princess Akishino, known informally as Princess Kiko. As tradition dictates, upon her entry into the imperial family and like other members, she received a personal emblem (o-shirushi (お印)): the blossom of the bristle-pointed beachhead iris Iris setosa (hiougi-ayame, cypress fan iris (檜扇菖蒲)) which blooms in intense shades of dark lavender to blue.[8]

The engagement and marriage of Prince Akishino to the former Kiko Kawashima broke precedent in several respects. At the time, the groom was still a graduate student at Gakushuin and he would be married before his older brother, Crown Prince Naruhito. Officials at the Imperial Household Agency were opposed to the marriage, and so was Prince Akishino's paternal grandmother Empress Dowager Nagako.[5] As the second woman from a middle-class and academician background to marry into the imperial family after her mother-in-law Empress Michiko, she was given the nickname "the apartment princess" by the media.[5] Although Empress Michiko was also born a commoner, she was from a very wealthy family; her father was the president of a large flour-milling company.

The Princess had said repeatedly that she wanted to finish her master's degree if circumstances permitted.[4] She completed her post-graduate studies in psychology between her official duties and received her master's degree in psychology in 1995. She is known for her continuing interest in deaf culture and the Deaf in Japan. She learned Japanese sign language and is a skilled sign language interpreter.[9] She attends the "Sign Language Speech Contest for High School Students" held every August, and "Praising Mothers Raising Children with Hearing Impairments" every December. In October 2008, she participated in the "38th National Deaf Women's Conference."[10] She also signs in informal Deaf gatherings.[11]

In March 2013, Kiko was granted a PhD degree in Psychology at the Graduate School of Humanities and Sciences, Ochanomizu University, for her dissertation entitled "Knowledge, perceptions, beliefs and behaviors related to tuberculosis: A study based on questionnaire surveys with seminar participants of the National Federation of Community Women's Organizations for TB Control and female college students."[10]

Children

[edit]
Fumihito and Kiko with their two daughters

Since 1997, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko and their children have maintained a principal residence on the grounds of the Akasaka Estate in Motoakasaka, Minato, Tokyo. The couple have three children (two daughters and one son):

Official duties

[edit]

The Prince and Princess are called upon to meet with important overseas visitors to improve diplomatic relations. The Princess was chosen as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2007, drawn from a poll of 4000 candidates.[13]

The Prince and Princess have made numerous official visits to foreign countries. In June 2002, they became the first members of the Imperial Family to visit Mongolia, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.[14][15] In October 2002, they visited the Netherlands to attend the funeral of Prince Claus of the Netherlands.[16] In September 2003, the Prince and Princess made goodwill visits to Fiji, Tonga and Samoa, again, the first time ever members of the Imperial Family had visited these countries.[17][18] In March 2004, the Prince and Princess returned to the Netherlands for the funeral of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands.[16] In January 2005, they visited Luxembourg to attend the funeral of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte.[16] From October to November 2006, they visited Paraguay to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japanese emigration to that country.[19] In January 2008, they visited Indonesia for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia.[20]

Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko observe National Congress of Brazil, 2015
Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko observe National Congress of Brazil, 2015

They visited Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania in May 2009 on the occasion of "Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009"[21][22] and the Netherlands in August 2009 for the commemorative event of the 400th anniversary of the trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands.[23] They have visited Costa Rica,[24] Uganda,[25] Croatia,[26] the Slovakia,[27] Slovenia,[28] Peru, and Argentina.[29][30] From June to July 2014, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visited Zambia and Tanzania.[31][32]

The Crown Prince and Princess with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, 2023

In June–July 2019, the couple carried out the first official overseas visit by the imperial family following the accession of Emperor Naruhito. They visited Poland and Finland to participate in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and the two countries.[33] In August 2019, the couple and their son, Hisahito, arrived in Bhutan for a visit.[34] In 2023 they were guests at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.[35]

Health

[edit]

While pregnant with her third child, Kiko was diagnosed with placenta praevia.[36] The princess also had carpal tunnel syndrome osteoporosis aggravated by child-nursing, a symptom common among middle-aged women, her doctor revealed on 14 December 2007.[37]

In late 2023 it was reported that Kiko was suffering from a gastrointestinal illness which prevented her from eating "normal meals" though an endoscopy performed on her in January 2024 found no abnormalities.[38]

Honours

[edit]
See also: List of honours of the Japanese imperial family by country
Mon of the Akishino branch of the imperial family

National

[edit]

Foreign

[edit]

Honorary positions

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family - names Archived 7 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine - official website of the Imperial Household Agency
  2. ^ "Japan Crown Prince Fumihito formally declared 1st in line to throne". english.kyodonews.net. Kyodo News. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Japanese Royal Bride's Years At Penn: A 'Vivacious' Child". philly.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e Sanger, David E. (26 June 1990). "Tokyo Journal; She's Shy and Not So Shy, Japan's Princess Bride". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Japanese Prince Plans To Marry A Commoner". Chicago Tribune. 13 September 1989.
  6. ^ "Princess Akishino's pregnancy". Japan Times. March 29, 2006.
  7. ^ "Scenes from An Uncommon Marriage: Japan's Prince Aya Weds a Cinderella Psych Major, Kiko Kawashima". People. June 1990.
  8. ^ "Iris setosa (Bristle-Pointed Iris)". gardenia.net. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  9. ^ Valpy, Michael. "The emperor and the tennis pro," Globe and Mail (Canada). June 27, 2009; 紀子さま、高校生手話コンテストで挨拶 2009年8月29日, TBS
  10. ^ a b "Activities of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino and their family". kunaicho.go.jp. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Princess Kiko chats with Deaf soccer players in sign language after film show," Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Deaf Japan News. September 7, 2010.
  12. ^ "Japan royal baby named Hisahito," BBC News. September 12, 2006.
  13. ^ "Globis Management Bank President Etsuko Okajima Selected as Young Global Leader 2007 by World Economic Forum". Globis. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  14. ^ "Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino to Visit Mongolia". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  15. ^ "Prince, Princess to visit Mongolia". The Japan Times. 10 June 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  16. ^ a b c "List of Overseas Visits by the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Family (1999–2008)". kunaicho.go.jp. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Japan-Fiji Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  18. ^ "Japanese Royal visit to Samoa" (PDF). Embassy of Japan in New Zealand. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Prince Akishino to visit Paraguay on Wednesday". AAJ News. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  20. ^ "Indonesian president meets Japanese Prince Akishino". China View. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  21. ^ "Prince and princess Akishino on official visit to Bulgaria". bulgarian.ibox.bg. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  22. ^ "Political relations". Embassy of Romania to Japan. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  23. ^ "Dutch appeal to visiting Prince Akishino". typepad.com. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  24. ^ "Japanese royals visit Costa Rica". The Tico Times. 28 January 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  25. ^ "Japan royals visit Uganda". New Vision. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  26. ^ "Japanese prince and princess Akishino to visit Croatia". dubrovnik.com. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  27. ^ "Japan-Slovakia Relations". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  28. ^ "Japanese Prince and Princes Akishino to Visit Slovenia". Slovenian Times. Archived from the original on 25 April 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  29. ^ "Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan visit Peru". Peru this week. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  30. ^ "Prince, Princess Akishino in Argentina". News on Japan. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  31. ^ "Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino's visit to Zambia". Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  32. ^ "Prince Akishino of Japan visits Serengeti and Ngorongoro over the weekend". The official website of Tanzania National Parks. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  33. ^ "Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko leave for European trip". The Japan Times. 27 June 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  34. ^ "Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and family meet Bhutan's king". The Japan Times. 20 August 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2021. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  35. ^ "Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko Arrive at Kings Charles's Coronation". Town and Country Magazine. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  36. ^ "Press Conference on the Occasion of the Birthday of His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino (2006)". The Imperial Household Agency. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  37. ^ "紀子さま、左腕に痛み - Msn産経ニュース". Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2007.
  38. ^ "Crown Princess Kiko undergoes endoscopy; no abnormalities found". Japan Today. 11 January 2024. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  39. ^ "New Year Greeting" (PNG). Katemiddletonreview.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  40. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). S-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  41. ^ a b "Kiko wearing Red Cross Medals". D1udmfvw0p7cd2.cloudfront.net. Archived from the original (PNG) on 7 October 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  42. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). 3.bp.blogspot.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  43. ^ "Belga Image". Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  44. ^ Decoraties Staatsbezoeken Japan en Republiek Korea Archived 4 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine – website of the Dutch Royal House
  45. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). /s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  46. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). Yuko2ch.net. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  47. ^ "BOE-A-2008-18121 Real Decreto 1874/2008, de 8 de noviembre, por el que se concede la Gran Cruz de la Orden de Isabel la Católica a Su Alteza Imperial la Princesa Kiko Akishino de Japón". Boletín Oficial del Estado (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  49. ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). Yuko2ch.net. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  50. ^ a b c d e f g "Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino and their family". The Imperial Household Agency. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
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