TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Princess Kako, one of Emperor Akihito's granddaughters, and the younger daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, has vowed on the occasion of her 20th birthday Monday to do her best in the official duties she will take on.
"I should fulfill my duties and put value in every work I receive rather than focus on whether I am interested in it," the princess said at a customary pre-birthday news conference.
The princess is scheduled to appear to the public for the first time as an adult member of the imperial family on Jan. 2 when the emperor, Empress Michiko and other members of the imperial family greet well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in central Tokyo.
Princess Kako, whose father is the second son of the emperor and empress, is scheduled to enroll in the college of liberal arts at International Christian University in Tokyo from next April after she quit Gakushuin University, also in the Japanese capital, in August.
Asked about her decision to change schools, the princess said she decided to study at ICU because of its good liberal arts education.
"I have come to understand the importance of communicating in English and broadening my knowledge" after being more involved in official duties, the princess said.
Princess Kako studied from kindergarten to senior high school at Gakushuin, where imperial family members have traditionally studied.
At the Imperial Palace on Monday morning, the emperor bestowed on the princess the decoration known as the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown.
Dressed in a white robe decollete, with the decoration and a platinum tiara sparkling with diamonds, the princess visited the palace again in the afternoon to greet the emperor and the empress.
A dinner was held for her in the evening at the residence of Prince Akishino with the emperor and empress in attendance.
Princess Kako turns 20, vows to do her best in official duties - 毎日新聞