Advertisement

Japan's Princess Aiko celebrates coming of age

She turned 20 on Wednesday (December 2).

Aiko, who is not eligible to accede the Chrysanthemum throne as it currently is limited to males, greeted members of the press wearing a tiara and a long white dress.

The princess wants to grow into an adult who can be of service to others, she said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency on her birthday.

"I am deeply grateful to all who have been involved in my journey to this day," Aiko said in the statement.

It was heartbreaking that many people across the world have died due to the novel coronavirus, Aiko said in the statement, adding that she hoped "a peaceful and vibrant life" would come to everyone as soon as possible.