Japan’s Princess Aiko will be making her international debut next month when she is made a member of Japan’s Imperial Family. 

Due to the Covid pandemic, the 19-year-old Empress Masako will be the sole child of Emperor Naruhito. 

Little-known teenager suffered bullying throughout school. She also had health issues that caused her to miss several months of school.

The princess, who turns 20 in December, will still be the center of attention as she attends royal galas and undertakes formal engagements.  

Yet instead of a new jewellery collection to celebrate this milestone, like ones given to her cousins, Mako Komuro, formerly Princess Mako, and Princess Kako of Akishino, when they came of age, Aiko will be gifted a second-hand piece.

The second-year university student, who studies Japanese literature at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, is set to be given her aunt Sayako Kuroda’s tiara, according to Royal Central, due to a lack of budget because of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. 

Princess Aiko of Japan (pictured) is set to hit the world stage next month as she becomes a working member of the country's imperial family

As a member of Japan’s imperial family, Princess Aiko (pictured) will be making her debut on the international stage.

The little-known teenager was bullied throughout her school years and battled health issues which meant she missed months of her education (pictured, in 2016 aged 15)

Little-known, the teenager suffered bullying throughout her school years. Her health issues also meant she was unable to complete her education for months. 

But the 19-year-old, who is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako (pictured together), will have to do without a new tiara and set of jewels when she comes of age next month due to the Covid pandemic

The 19-year old Empress Masako, the sole child of Emperor Naruhito (pictured together), won’t have a new set of jewels and a tiara when she turns 18 next month because of the Covid pandemic.

The princess is little known. Her childhood was filled with bullying and anxiety that led to her dropping out from school.

Aiko was eight years old when it became clear that her hobbies included jumprope, calligraphy and poetry.

It was revealed that she also grew up on both the piano and the violin. 

However in 2010, she was in the press after it emerged she was spending a period away from school after  suffering anxiety over the ‘wild behaviour’ of fellow schoolboys. 

Instead of a new jewellery collection to celebrate this milestone, like ones given to her cousins, Mako Komuro, formerly Princess Mako, and Princess Kako of Akishino, when they came of age, Aiko will be gifted a second-hand piece (pictured) from her aunt

Aiko will not be receiving a brand new jewelry collection, as she did with her cousins Mako Komuro and Princess Kako from Akishino when they turned of age. Instead, Aiko will get a second-hand piece (pictured).

She  failed to attend the end-of-year graduation ceremony a and was also absent for a welcoming ceremony for her fellow new third grade students.

After being accompanied by her mom, she began to attend school only for three hours each day. 

Officials at Palace said that the princess had private tuition, even though she was not attending school.

A year later, she was hospitalised for pneumonia after suffering from a persistent high temperature of around 102.2F and a cough. 

On her return to school, she began playing cello as a member of the school orchestra and learning English. 

Only male heirs descended from a male emperor are eligible for the throne. The family currently has three male heirs: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito and Prince Hitachi

Only male heirs of a male Emperor are eligible to inherit the throne. The current family has three male heirs, the Crown Prince Akishino (Prince Hisahito) and Prince Hitachi (Prince Hitachi).

Aiko was again harmed by fatigue from exam stress in 2016. 

According to Palace officials, the teenage sufferer had complained of dizziness and stomach pains. This was due to her studying for exams while also practicing for an athletic event.  

Images released by officials to commemorate her 15th Birthday caused concern across the country. They showed the royal looking weak in the photos.  

She will be retiring in the summer 2018. She made her solo first trip to Europe for a summer program at Eton College.  

Despite being the only child of the Emperor, who ascended the throne in May 2019, Japanese laws favouring male heirs means Aiko (pictured in 2010 with her parents) is not in the line of succession

Aiko, pictured with her parents in 2010, isn’t in line for succession despite being the Emperor’s only child.

Aiko studies Japanese literature now, and also takes additional courses in English or Spanish at Gakushuin university in Tokyo. 

Her grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and uncle, Crown Prince Akishino, also attended the university.

She is also known for her love of animals, having ridden horses since she was a child.

She walks her dog, Yuri, and has raised silkworms since elementary school days.

Her high school graduation paper was titled, ‘Cats and dogs in the Heian Period through literature.’ 

A statement previously released by the Imperial Household described Aiko as hardworking and said she sometimes turned to her father and mother, Empress Masako, for help with her assignments, according to the Japan Times.

Official images released to mark her 15th birthday in 2016 sparked concern in the country, with the royal appearing frail in the photographs (pictured)

Official images released to mark her 15th birthday in 2016 sparked concern in the country, with the royal appearing frail in the photographs (pictured) 

She will become a working member of the country’s imperial family next month, when she will wear a second-hand tiara first worn by Sayako to celebrate the milestone. 

Sayako, formerly Princess Sayako, is the only sister of Emperor Naruhito, and wore the tiara during her fifteen years of being a working member of the imperial family.

However, she hasn’t sported the glittering piece since 2005, when in November that year she married Yoshiki Kuroda, an urban planner working for the city of Tokyo.

At her wedding, Sayako, who is currently the Supreme Priestess at the Ise Grand Shrine, lost her imperial status due to a rule that strips imperial princesses of their titles if they choose to marry commoners.

Sayako still owns her tiara since it was reportedly made with funds from her father’s living expense allowance, rather than paid for by public funds.

Her grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and uncle, Crown Prince Akishino, also attended the university. Pictured with her parents in 2017

The university was attended by her grandfather, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, as well as her uncle, Crown Prince Akishino. Photo taken in 2017 with her parents

Princess Aiko (centre) waves to well-wishers along with her parents prior to attending her graduation ceremony at Gakushuin Girls' Junior High School on March 22, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan

Prior to her graduation ceremony at Gakushuin Junior High School, Tokyo (Japan), Princess Aiko (centre), wave to her well-wishers and her parents

The Court Jeweller reports that Aiko borrowed the piece from Aiko after her cousins had received new jewels.

Lauren Kiehna, an American historian and royal expert, wrote that the Imperial Household Agency didn’t have money for a new Tiara or jewels in their annual budget to help them save costs during the pandemic. 

Aiko will be wearing the tiara to better fit her head ahead of the coming of age ceremonies. This ceremony won’t include a banquet, or similar gatherings due to the Covid crisis. 

Aiko, despite being the Emperor’s only child and ascending to the throne May 2019, is not eligible for succession under Japanese law which favours male heirs.

Aiko’s uncle Crown Prince Fumihito will take Aiko place, and his two oldest sons Mako and Kako will go to Prince Hisahito. 

There is a shortage of male heirs among the Imperial Household, which has shrunk to just 18 members, three of whom are eligible heirs. Pictured, Princess Aiko is seen on arrival at the Imperial Palace to greet the Emperor and Empress on her 17th birthday on December 1, 2018

The Imperial Household has a shortfall of male heirs. There are only 18 members of the Imperial Household. Three of them can be eligible to inherit. Pictured, Princess Aiko is seen on arrival at the Imperial Palace to greet the Emperor and Empress on her 17th birthday on December 1, 2018

Only one man is allowed to vote under the current rules: Prince Hitachi, 85 year-old uncle of Emperor Hitachi.

It seems that the Japanese people are ready to change. Kyodo News conducted a poll in October 2019, which revealed that 81.9 percent supported a ruling Empress.

Aiko’s Japanese cousin Mako was seen enjoying her first experience as a commoner in New York City. She’s currently living with Kei Komuro and her husband after she sensationally gave up her title.

This weekend saw the sighting of Crown Prince Fumihito’s eldest child and the niece of Emperor Naruhito. It was the first time that the two have seen each other since they traded Tokyo’s Imperial Palace in Tokyo for brighter lights of New York.

The former royal, 30, who now goes simply by Mako Komuro, made a trip to Bed, Bath & Beyond Friday to pick up some home essentials for the couple’s new marital home in Hell’s Kitchen.

The second-year university student (pictured with her parents), who studies Japanese literature at Gakushuin University in Tokyo, is set to be given her aunt Sayako Kuroda's tiara, according to Royal Central, due to a lack of budget because of the ongoing health crisis

According to Royal Central, the second-year student at university (pictured here with her parents), she will be receiving Sayako Kuroda, her aunt’s tiara because there is no budget due to ongoing health crises.

Aiko was ill for a month in 2016 after suffering from fatigue caused by stress exam. 

At the time, Palace officials stated that she had complained of dizziness and stomach issues at age 14. This was due to her studying for exams, as well as practicing for an athletic event.

Aiko, then known as the princess who never smiles, is the only child of Emperor  Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako, who also suffered from a stress-related health condition for more than 10 years.

Following the birth Aiko, critics said that Aiko was not a male heir. The Empress resigned from public life almost 10 years later. 

The grand master at Naruhito’s palace told reporters that Aiko had been struggling with her health – adding that a palace hospital health check found no major problem and that she did not have to stay in bed all day.

It wasn’t the first time that the Japanese Palace had confirmed Aiko was absent.

A family spokesperson stated that the princess, then aged eighteen, had left her elementary school following being bullied in her class by boys.

Aiko (pictured with her parents in 2019) studies Japanese literature, along with taking additional language courses in English and Spanish, at Gakushuin University in Tokyo

Aiko is pictured here in 2019 with her parents. Aiko studies Japanese literature and also takes Spanish and English language classes at Gakushuin University Tokyo.

He said that she’d complained about stomach pains and felt anxious.

A spokesperson for the school at which she was a student said that the incident could have been caused by a miscommunication as children were changing their shoes.

Japan has ruled out women being allowed to rise to the throne as a result of a succession crisis that is looming in its shrinking imperial family.

The Times reported the 21-member government advisory committee, which is made up of representatives from many fields, are trying to find a solution. It will not consider giving imperial princesses reign.

Although there is widespread support for princesses ascending to the Chrysanthemum Trine, Japan’s conservative nationalists strongly oppose such an action.

Princess Aiko is seen after her meeting with Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace on April 30, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan

After meeting Emperor Akihito at Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, Princess Aiko can be seen with him. This photo was taken on April 30, 2019, in Tokyo.

Japan’s imperial family has been regarded as the oldest monarchy in the world, and its unbroken male line can be traced back to two millennia.

Aiko was worshipped by Emperor Hirohito as a living god before the defeat of Tokyo in World War II. 

The Imperial House has recognized Mythology with the legendary Emperor Jimmu. This legendary figure is believed to be the descendant of a goddess of the sun and a god of storms.

The strict rules that only allow male heirs to the throne are threatening the future viability of the imperial line.

The Imperial Household has a shortfall of male heirs. There are now only 18 members of the Imperial Household. Three of these eligible heirs. 

Once she turns 20 on December 1, the princess (pictured) will be thrust into the spotlight as she undertakes official engagements and attends galas fit for royalty

When she turns twenty-one on December 1, 2018, the Princess (pictured) will take center stage as she engages in official duties and attends galas suitable for royalty.

It is principally due to a rule that removes imperial princesses’ titles from those who marry commoners.

The Japanese Imperial Family is Man’s World 

There is no right to the Chrysanthemum Trinket for female Imperial relatives.

Their royal status is lost if they are married to commoners. The law is not applicable to male princes.

There were fewer male children and grandchildren than Emperor Akihito, which means there wasn’t enough heirs. 

Akihito’s eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito succeeded him to the throne. He ascended it on May 1, 2019. 

Naruhito had a child but not a son, so his older brother Akishino now is next in line. Hisahito Akishino’s 15-year old son, follows. 

Akihito has three more grandchildren. Hisahito was the first to have a daughter. Princess Mako, however, is still the only one who can succeed him. 

There are no other eligible males after that, so the centuries-old succession is void if there aren’t any children for the young heirs.

The monarchy’s 2,600-year-long tradition of male succession has not been broken. 

Concerned about the future status of the royal family, some want women to be allowed to ascend to the throne. Others would prefer that their royal status could remain intact so they can continue to perform public duties. But a government panel examining the death of the emperor avoided the issue. 

Even though Japan was occasionally ruled over by women sovereigns in the past, traditionalists like Prime Minister Shinzo abe are determined to oppose any such changes.  

 

Three years ago, after the historic abdication (87) of the Emperor Akihito – the idea to examine whether or not a female could rise to the throne came up.

The government offered to investigate possible reforms in imperial succession to ensure opposition support.

However, formal negotiations have been held back and will only begin in April.

Traditionalists argue that there are still options as Naruhito (61) is in good health and the family has male inheritors through Crown Prince Akishino (55), and Prince Hisahito (15).

Prince Hitachi, the 85-year old uncle of the Emperor and only eligible heir, is it.

Surveys show that the Japanese public is in support of women ruling.

Many politicians are supportive, even more liberal members from Prime Minister Yoshihide Sauga’s Liberal Democratic Party.

“Within the ruling Party, there is a longing For [Princess Aiko]To ascend the throne,” The Japan Times quotes a high-ranking government official saying this month.

The current Imperial Household Law was established in 1947 and states that only male descendants can inherit the throne.

Japan had eight female monarchs from the sixth to 18th centuries. However, none of them came from a female line. 

Another option is to allow women to maintain their imperial status upon marriage, regardless their husbands’ status. This would ensure that their sons will be eligible for succession.

Traditionalists, on the other hand, argue that legitimate succession must only be through male lines.

A panel may also be interested in former aristocratic families whose imperial status had been abolished under the U.S. Following the fall of the Empire, Japan’s occupation was authorized.

According to the proposal, scions from these families may be adopted into an emperor’s household.

A second option would involve a successful restoration of the monarchy and the reinstatement of male members.

Traditionalists are concerned that any changes to the rules for succession could jeopardize the legitimacy of the Imperial Household and its stability.

The Reformists argue, however, that the Imperial House needs to adapt in order for it to thrive.

Kyodo News conducted a March and April poll. 87% of the respondents supported a reigning Empress, while 88% supported a female-line Emperor.

Taro Kano is a Cabinet member who was tipped to be a future prime minister. He has expressed support for the decision to let princesses ascend to the throne.

He stated, “It is possible for imperial princesses including Princess Aiko to be accepted as next monarch,”

“There’s only one next generation heir to the throne [at the moment]. The next step is to decide what to do with the male heirs that are gone.