A member of Japan’s royal family is embarking on a more humble path as a working professional. Princess Aiko, aged 22, is set to join the Japanese Red Cross Society as an employee starting April 1, 2024, according to an announcement by the Imperial Household Agency on January 22, 2024, as reported by NHK World-Japan. This transition also signifies her graduation from Gakushuin University, where she is currently a fourth-year student. Princess Aiko, the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, is taking a different route from her cousin, Princess Mako, who gained attention in 2021 when she relinquished her royal status to marry a “commoner.”
Princess Aiko appears to have a keen interest in humanitarian endeavors. In a statement she issued, expressing enthusiasm about her upcoming role at the Red Cross, she conveyed her eagerness to contribute and expressed a desire to expand her knowledge through this experience. The Japanese Red Cross, where she is set to work, boasts a workforce of 60,000 individuals dedicated to managing hospitals, blood centers, and nurse training facilities.
Empress Masako, Princess Aiko’s mother, holds the esteemed position of the organization’s honorary president. Despite managing her imperial responsibilities alongside her studies, the princess is poised to continue this balancing act as she steps into her role as a contractual employee.
