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Kiko AkishinoPrince Akishino's wife
Date of Birth: 11.09.1966
Country:  Japan |
Content:
- Princess Kiko: A Life of Tradition and Modernity
- Early Life and Education
- Proposal and Marriage
- A Modern Royal
- Advocacy and Disability Rights
- Current Activities
Princess Kiko: A Life of Tradition and Modernity
Born into a family of scholars, Princess Kiko of Akishino made history as the second commoner to marry into the Imperial Family. Her mother-in-law, Empress Michiko, had broken the same barrier in 1959.
Early Life and Education
As the eldest daughter of university professor Tatsuhiko Kawashima, Princess Kiko spent her early years in the United States, where her father pursued doctoral studies. She lived in Vienna, Austria, during her father's tenure as a researcher at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA). Princess Kiko became fluent in English and German.
In 1989, she enrolled in the Department of Psychology at Gakushuin University, later earning a diploma and completing part of a doctoral program in 1995. In 2007, she was recognized as one of the World's Young Leaders, selected from a pool of 4,000 candidates.
Proposal and Marriage
Prince Akishino first proposed to Kiko Kawashima in 1986, but the pair kept their engagement secret for three years. The formal engagement was sanctioned by the Imperial House Council in 1989. Following a traditional ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on 29 June 1990, Princess Kiko became known as Her Imperial Highness, Princess Akishino.
A Modern Royal
Princess Kiko's marriage to Prince Akishino broke several royal traditions. As a graduate student, she married before her elder brother, Crown Prince Naruhito. As a middle-class woman, she was the first of her kind to enter the Imperial Family since Empress Michiko, who came from a wealthy background. Additionally, the proposal and marriage were said to be based on love.
Advocacy and Disability Rights
Princess Kiko has dedicated her efforts to supporting individuals with deafness. She is qualified in sign language and actively promotes its use. In 2007, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, a condition common among middle-aged women.
Current Activities
Since 1997, Princess Akishino and her husband have resided at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo. They have two daughters and one son. The Princess often accompanies her husband to various official events, including sports festivals, ceremonies, and diplomatic gatherings.
