View source for Aiko, Princess Toshi

{{Short description|Japanese princess (born 2001)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Aiko
| title        = Princess Toshi
| image        = File:Emperor_Naruhito,_Empress_Masako_and_Princess_Aiko_20221223_(cropped).jpg
| alt          = 
| caption      = Aiko in 2022
| royal house  = [[Imperial House of Japan]]
| father       = [[Naruhito]]
| mother       = [[Masako Owada]]<!-- maiden name -->
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|2001|12|1|df=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[:ja: 宮内庁病院|Imperial Household Agency Hospital]],<br>[[Imperial Palace, Tokyo|Imperial Palace]], Tokyo, Japan
}}
 
{{Japanese Imperial Family}}
{{nihongo|'''Aiko, Princess Toshi'''|敬宮愛子内親王|Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō|extra=born 1 December 2001}} is a member of the [[Imperial House of Japan]]. She is the only child of [[Naruhito|Emperor Naruhito]] and [[Empress Masako]] of Japan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Maygar |first1=James |last2=Ujikane |first2=Keiko |title=Japan Emperor, Symbol of National Unity, Said to Seek Abdication |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-13/japan-emperor-expresses-wish-to-abdicate-at-some-point-nhk-says |access-date=2 February 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=13 July 2016 |archive-date=11 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511080340/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-13/japan-emperor-expresses-wish-to-abdicate-at-some-point-nhk-says |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following her birth, the ongoing [[Japanese imperial succession debate]] had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding [[agnatic primogeniture]] (male-only imperial succession) originally [[Imperial Household Law|implemented in 1889]] and reinforced by the [[Allies of World War II|World War II allies]] on the [[constitution of Japan]]. However, once her uncle and the current crown prince [[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan|Fumihito, Prince Akishino]] had his son, [[Prince Hisahito of Akishino|Hisahito]] in September 2006, Hisahito became second in the line of succession following his father. Aiko remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne and she cannot succeed her father, while debate about the possibility of having future [[Josei Tennō|empresses regnant]] continues.

== Birth==

Princess Aiko was born on 1 December 2001 at 2:43 PM in the Imperial Household Agency Hospital in [[Imperial Palace, Tokyo|Tokyo Imperial Palace]], the first and only child of the then-Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Naruhito and Masako.<ref>{{cite news |title=Girl Born to Japan's Princess |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/01/world/girl-born-to-japan-s-princess.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=1 December 2001 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=28 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428123214/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/01/world/girl-born-to-japan-s-princess.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Japan: A Name For The Royal Baby |last1=French |first1=Howard W. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/08/world/world-briefing-asia-japan-a-name-for-the-royal-baby.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=8 December 2001 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=28 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428181839/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/08/world/world-briefing-asia-japan-a-name-for-the-royal-baby.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In a break with tradition, the name of the princess was chosen by her parents, instead of by her grandfather, the Emperor [[Akihito]]. It was selected from clause 56 of Li Lou II, one of the teachings of the [[Chinese philosophy|Chinese philosopher]] [[Mencius]]. Aiko, the princess' personal name, is written with the [[kanji]] characters for {{nihongo|'love'|愛}} and {{nihongo|'child'|子}} and means "a person who loves others".<ref name="aikoname">Colin Joyce (2001-12-08). "[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/1364705/Japans-princess-named-one-who-loves-others.html Japan's princess named 'one who loves others'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227191353/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/1364705/Japans-princess-named-one-who-loves-others.html |date=2017-12-27 }}". ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 8 December 2001.</ref> The princess also has an imperial title, {{nihongo|Princess Toshi|敬宮|toshi-no-miya}}, which means "a person who respects others".<ref name="aikoname"/>

==Education==
Princess Aiko began her education at [[Gakushūin]] Kindergarten on 3 April 2006.<ref>[http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/465491/japans_princess_aiko_4_starts_kindergarten/index.html Japan's Princess Aiko, 4, starts kindergarten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323061143/http://www.redorbit.com/news/international/465491/japans_princess_aiko_4_starts_kindergarten/index.html |date=2010-03-23 }}. ''redOrbit''. 10 April 2006. Retrieved 2 December 2009.</ref> She left kindergarten on 15 March 2008<ref>[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080316a6.html Princess Aiko finishes kindergarten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124181718/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080316a6.html |date=2009-11-24 }}. ''The Japan Times''. 16 March 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.</ref> and then attended Gakushuin Primary School.<ref name=":0" /> 

On her eighth birthday, it was revealed her interests included writing kanji characters, [[calligraphy]], [[jump rope]], playing [[piano]] and [[violin]], and writing [[poetry]].<ref>[http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20091201p2a00m0na009000c.html Princess Aiko celebrates 8th birthday] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203091206/http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20091201p2a00m0na009000c.html |date=2009-12-03 }}. ''The Mainichi Daily News''. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.</ref>

In early March 2010, Aiko began to stay home from school due to being bullied by boys in her school.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8551868.stm |work=BBC News |title=Japan princess 'bullied by boys' |date=5 March 2010 |access-date=7 February 2011 |archive-date=17 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017214438/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8551868.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Aiko returned to school on a limited basis on 2 May 2010. After returning to school, a senior palace official said that she would attend a limited number of classes accompanied by her mother, upon advice from a doctor at the Crown Prince's household.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/05/02/national/princess-aiko-returns-to-school/#.Vk32EHarSzc |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=2 May 2010 |location=Tokyo |title=Princess Aiko returns to school |access-date=19 November 2015 |archive-date=20 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120010450/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/05/02/national/princess-aiko-returns-to-school/#.Vk32EHarSzc |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Naruhito, Masako and Aiko in Tochigi Prefecture.jpg|thumb|Aiko with her parents in [[Nasu Imperial Villa]], [[Tochigi Prefecture]] in August 2019]]
In November 2011, Aiko was hospitalized with [[pneumonia]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8866323/Japans-Princess-Aiko-suffering-from-pneumonia.html |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=3 November 2011 |location=London |first=Danielle |last=Demetriou |title=Japan's Princess Aiko suffering from pneumonia |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=17 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161411/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8866323/Japans-Princess-Aiko-suffering-from-pneumonia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, she enrolled at the Gakushuin Girl's Junior High-school.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/08/national/princess-aiko-enters-high-school/ |title=Princess Aiko enters high school |date=8 April 2017 |via=Japan Times Online |access-date=10 April 2017 |archive-date=11 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411053432/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/04/08/national/princess-aiko-enters-high-school |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the summer of 2018, she made her first solo trip abroad to attend a summer program at [[Eton College]], [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Princess Aiko heads to Britain to attend course at Eton College |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201807230035.html |work=The Asahi Shimbun |location=Tokyo |date=23 July 2018 |access-date=15 February 2019 |archive-date=31 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231162648/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201807230035.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> Reports from an unnamed palace source close to the family stated that Aiko provided her mother Masako with emotional support in her new role as empress.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ogata |first1=Yudai |last2=Nakada |first2=Ayako |date=1 January 2019 |title=Support from Aiko, public behind Masako's new confidence |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201901010043.html |work=The Asahi Shimbun |location=Tokyo |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131042754/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201901010043.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In February 2020 she was accepted at [[Gakushuin University]] where she majored in [[Japanese language]] and [[Japanese literature|literature]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Princess Aiko to enter Gakushuin University in Tokyo in April |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13153124 |work=The Asahi Shimbun |location=Tokyo |date=21 February 2020 |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104111424/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13153124 |url-status=live }}</ref>

She graduated on 20 March 2024 and stated that she will "strive to balance my official duties and work... while fulfilling my duties as a member of the Imperial Family."<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Princess Aiko set to work with Red Cross following Gakushuin graduation |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/03/20/japan/society/princess-aiko-graduates-university/ |work=[[The Japan Times]] |location=Tokyo |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref> She wrote her senior thesis on [[Princess Shikishi]] and her ''[[Waka (poetry)|waka]]'' (poetry in classical Japanese literature).<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=愛子さまが学習院大を卒業、卒業論文は式子内親王とその和歌…「学業の集大成」として |url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/koushitsu/20240320-OYT1T50094/ |work=[[Yomiuri Shimbun]] |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref>

==Public life==
[[File:Rhododendron quinquefolium02.JPG|thumb|Cork azalea, ''[[Rhododendron quinquefolium]]'', designated imperial personal emblem of Aiko]]
From the age of 16, Aiko began accompanying her parents at public appearances.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Princess Aiko turns 17, says she is enjoying school life |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/01/national/princess-aiko-turns-17-says-enjoying-school-life/ |work=The Japan Times |location=Tokyo |date=1 December 2018 |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824152854/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/01/national/princess-aiko-turns-17-says-enjoying-school-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191201/p2g/00m/0na/002000c |title=Princess Aiko turns 18, enjoys last year in high school |publisher=Mainichi Newspapers |date=1 December 2019 |website=The Mainichi |access-date=1 December 2019 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223104841/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20191201/p2g/00m/0na/002000c |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was ineligible to attend any of her father's ascension ceremonies in person as she was still a minor at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201912010021.html |title=Princess Aiko turns 18 after watching rituals of her parents |last=Nagatani |first=Aya |date=4 December 2019 |website=The Asahi Shimbun |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225083646/http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201912010021.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 15 September 2021, Aiko and her parents left the [[Tōgū Palace#Akasaka Palace|Akasaka Palace]] and moved to the [[Imperial Palace, Tokyo|Tokyo Imperial Palace]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-06 |title=天皇ご一家、皇居へご転居 |url=https://www.sankei.com/article/20210906-DBW7BYPZRJNS3EAQBJB5KYWWVY/ |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=[[Sankei Shimbun]]}}</ref>

On 5 December 2021, the Sunday after her 20th birthday, she participated in formal [[coming of age]] ceremonies wearing a tiara borrowed from her aunt, [[Sayako Kuroda]] and was awarded the Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Precious Crown]] by her father, Emperor Naruhito.<ref name="kyodonews20211205">{{Cite web |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/6827a57be37a-princess-aiko-goes-through-official-coming-of-age-ceremonies.html |title=Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies |work=[[Kyodo News]] |date=5 December 2021 |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s)/no by-line.--> |date=5 December 2021 |title=Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/6827a57be37a-princess-aiko-goes-through-official-coming-of-age-ceremonies.html |work=Kyodo News |location=Tokyo, Japan |access-date=5 December 2021 |archive-date=5 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205064108/https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/6827a57be37a-princess-aiko-goes-through-official-coming-of-age-ceremonies.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

She attended the 2022 New Year celebration at the [[Imperial Palace, Tokyo|Imperial Palace]] as her first public event as a working member of the imperial family.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38684524/princess-aiko-japan-first-royal-event-photos/ |title=Princess Aiko of Japan Attended Her First Event Since Becoming a Working Royal |last=Hubbard |first=Lauren |date=6 January 2022 |website=Town & Country |access-date=8 January 2022 |archive-date=7 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107205949/https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/tradition/a38684524/princess-aiko-japan-first-royal-event-photos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Her first press conference took place on 17 March.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |title=Princess Aiko vows to fulfill duties as adult in 1st news conference |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220317/p2g/00m/0na/061000c |work=The Mainichi |location=Tokyo, Japan |date=17 March 2022 |access-date=17 March 2022 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515212312/https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20220317/p2g/00m/0na/061000c |url-status=dead}}</ref> Her next public outing was on 5 November, when she participated with her cousin [[Princess Kako of Akishino]] in a so-called "''[[Gagaku]]''" concert organized by the [[Imperial Household Agency]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20221106-69153/ |title=Japan's Princesses Aiko, Kako attend gagaku concert |date=6 November 2022 |access-date=6 November 2022 |publisher=The Japan News |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106073731/https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20221106-69153/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 24 November, Princess Aiko visited an exhibition at the [[Tokyo National Museum]], with her parents.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20221125-73248/ |title=Emperor visits Tokyo exhibit on national treasures |date=25 November 2022 |access-date=25 November 2022 |publisher=The Japan News |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125071349/https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/imperial-family/20221125-73248/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aiko visited [[Ise Grand Shrine|Ise Jingu]] offering ''[[tamagushi]]'' to [[Amaterasu]] on 26 March and the mausoleum of [[Emperor Jimmu]] in [[Kashihara, Nara]] to inform his spirit of her graduation from university on 27 March. These were her first solo visits to the shrine and mausoleum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-26 |title=愛子さま伊勢神宮の内宮を参拝し玉串捧げられる 「卒業おめでとうございます」の声も｜FNNプライムオンライン |url=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/gallery/676464 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=FNNプライムオンライン}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-27 |title=愛子さま 神武天皇陵を参拝 大学卒業を報告 奈良 橿原 |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240327/k10014404291000.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=[[NHK]]}}</ref> She began work at the [[Japanese Red Cross Society]], of which her mother is honorary president, on 1 April 2024 after graduating from university.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-01 |title=Princess Aiko begins 1st day of work at Japanese Red Cross Society |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/04/2ee2366b5099-princess-aiko-begins-1st-day-of-work-at-japanese-red-cross-society.html |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Kyodo News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In October 2024 she made her first official solo Imperial visit. She attended a sports competition in the Saga prefecture.<ref>{{cite news |title=Princess Aiko visits Saga for first solo official duty in regional Japan |url=https://www.ntv.co.jp/englishnews/articles/2021tcrg3mdqkx7xgt30.html |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=www.ntv.co.jp |publisher=Nippon TV News 24 Japan |date=11 October 2024}}</ref>

==Succession to the throne==
The [[Imperial Household Law]] of 1947 abolished the Japanese nobility; under provisions of this law, the imperial family was streamlined to the descendants of [[Emperor Taishō]].<ref name="jt2007">[http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070327i1.html "Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017181143/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070327i1.html |date=2007-10-17 }} ''[[The Japan Times]]''. 27 March 2007.</ref> The laws of succession in Japan prevent inheritance by or through women.

===Debate===
[[File:Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko with the Imperial Family (November 2013).jpg|thumb|Princess Aiko (standing, center) with the Imperial Family (November 2013)|250x250px]]
The birth of Princess Aiko sparked debate in Japan about whether the [[Imperial Household Law]] of 1947 should be changed from the current system of [[agnatic primogeniture]] to [[absolute primogeniture]], which would allow a woman, as firstborn, to inherit the [[Chrysanthemum Throne]] ahead of a younger brother or male cousin. Although Imperial chronologies include ten empresses regnant as female monarchs in the course of Japanese history, their successors were always selected from amongst the members of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century.<ref name="jt2007"/> Though [[Empress Genmei]] was followed on the throne by her daughter, [[Empress Genshō]],<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' p. 56.</ref> Genshō's father, [[Prince Kusakabe]], was also a member of the imperial dynasty, as the son of [[Emperor Tenmu]], and therefore Genshō was a patrilineal descendant of the imperial bloodline. In addition, Empress Genshō herself was succeeded by her brother's son, thus keeping the throne in the same agnatic line; both Genshō and Genmei, as well as all other empresses regnant and emperors, belonged to the same [[agnatic]] line.

A government-appointed panel of experts submitted a report on 25 October 2005, recommending that the Imperial succession law be amended to permit absolute primogeniture. On 20 January 2006, [[Prime Minister of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[Junichiro Koizumi]] used part of his annual keynote speech to address the controversy when he pledged to submit a bill to the [[National Diet|Diet]] letting women ascend to the throne in order that the Imperial throne be continued into the future in a stable manner. Koizumi did not announce a timing for the legislation to be introduced nor did he provide details about the content, but he did note that it would be in line with the conclusions of the 2005 government panel.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4630464.stm |work=BBC News |title=Japan bill to let women on throne |date=20 January 2006 |access-date=5 May 2010 |archive-date=13 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230813105133/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4630464.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Birth of male cousin===
{{see also|Japanese imperial succession debate}}
Proposals to replace agnatic primogeniture were shelved temporarily after it was announced in February 2006 that the-then Crown Prince's younger brother, [[Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan|Fumihito, Prince Akishino]], and his wife, [[Kiko, Crown Princess of Japan|Kiko, Princess Akishino]], were expecting their third child. On 6 September 2006, Princess Kiko gave birth to their first son, [[Prince Hisahito of Akishino|Hisahito]], who was third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the time of the birth under the current law, after his uncle, the then-Crown Prince, and his father, Prince Akishino.<ref>{{cite news |title=Japan princess gives birth to boy |work=[[BBC News]] |date=6 September 2006 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5316266.stm |access-date=6 September 2006 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019062743/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5316266.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Walsh |first1=Bryan |date=5 September 2006 |title=Japan Celebrates: It's a Boy! |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1531895,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513055227/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1531895,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 May 2007 |access-date=16 November 2011}}.</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Japan's Imperial Family: Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl |last1=Yoshida |first1=Reiji |url=http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070327i1.html |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=27 March 2007 |agency=FYI (weekly column) |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=17 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017181143/http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20070327i1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The prince's birth provided the first male heir to be born in the imperial family in 41 years. On 3 January 2007, Prime Minister [[Shinzō Abe]] announced that he would drop the proposal to alter the Imperial Household Law.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2007-01-03-japan-female-monarch_x.htm |title=Report: Japan to drop plan to allow female monarch |work=[[USA Today]] |date=3 January 2007 |publisher=[[Gannett Company|Gannett]] |location=[[McLean, VA]] |issn=0734-7456 |agency=The Associated Press |access-date=20 October 2011 |archive-date=5 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105074542/http://www.usatoday.com/money/world/2007-01-03-japan-female-monarch_x.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Surveys have shown 80% public support for a female succession.<ref name="nippon-929">{{cite news|url=https://www.nippon.com/en/in-depth/d00929/|title=Aiko on the Throne? Event Seeks to Pave the Way for a Female Emperor|website=nippon.com|last=Saitō|first=Katsuhisa|date=25 September 2023|access-date=5 April 2024}}</ref> A ''[[manga]]'' by Kobayashi Yoshinori called ''Aiko Tennō ron'' (愛子天皇論<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nippon.com/hk/in-depth/d00941/|title=明知國民支持「女性天皇」，國會為何擱置討論皇位繼承問題？|website=nippon.com|date=17 January 2024|access-date=5 April 2024|language=ja}}</ref> "Princess Aiko as Emperor") has led to debates and also been circulated amongst the members of the National Diet.<ref name="nippon-929"/>

==Titles, styles and honours==
The Japanese press refers to her with her short title "Toshi-no-miya" (Her Highness Princess Toshi) or full "Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō" (Her Highness Princess Toshi Aiko). In general amongst the people she is referred to as "Aiko-[[Japanese_honorifics#Sama|sama]]". 

=== Titles and styles ===
Princess Aiko is styled as "Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko".<ref name="ako">{{cite web |url=https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history02.html |title=Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress |website=The Imperial Household Agency |access-date=22 April 2021 |archive-date=23 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423151531/https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history02.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She also has an imperial title, {{nihongo|"Princess Toshi"|敬宮|toshi-no-miya}}.<ref name="ako"/>
{{clear}}

===Honours===
{{see also|List of honours of the Japanese imperial family by country}}

====National honours====
*{{flag|Japan}}: [[File:JPN Hokan-sho 1Class BAR.svg|70px]] Grand Cordon of the [[Order of the Precious Crown]] (1 December 2021)<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=KYODO |title=Princess Aiko goes through official coming-of-age ceremonies |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/12/6827a57be37a-princess-aiko-goes-through-official-coming-of-age-ceremonies.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |website=Kyodo News+}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/history/history02.html Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress] at the Imperial Household Agency website
* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/02/press/kaiken-h14-gotanjo.html Press Conference by Their Imperial Highness The Crown Prince and Crown Princess After the Birth of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko]
* [http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-okotoba/02/press/gokaito-h14-gotanjo01.html Press Conference on the occasion of the First Birthday of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko (2002) (Written Answers)]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/1698865.stm BBC News | Japan's new princess meets the public]

{{Japanese princesses}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aiko, Princess Toshi}}
[[Category:2001 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Chiyoda, Tokyo]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese women]]
[[Category:21st-century Japanese people]]
[[Category:Japanese Shintoists]]
[[Category:21st-century Shintoists]]
[[Category:Gakushuin University alumni]]
[[Category:Grand Cordons (Imperial Family) of the Order of the Precious Crown]]
[[Category:Daughters of Japanese emperors]]