During Prince and Princess Akishino’s visit to Vietnam, “How did the remaining Princess Kako spend her time at the palace?”

Prince and Princess Akishino visited Vietnam for six days from September 20. They were invited by the Vietnamese government on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. This was their first visit to Vietnam for international goodwill in four years, partly due to the COVID-19 crisis” (Imperial Household journalist).

As His Imperial Highness Prince Akishino told us at the press conference before the visit, “By actually meeting and talking with each other, we can get to know each other better,” he energetically traveled around Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An, and other places. It is said that Noriko was even seen taking pictures with her cell phone in her hand.

Meanwhile, the Akasaka Imperial Palace in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The Akasaka Imperial Palace in Minato Ward, Tokyo, is the location of Akishinomiya’s residence, which has been without its head of household since the beginning of this year.

Since the beginning of this year, Akishino’s residence has been the focus of public attention due to the issue of Kako’s separation from the family. Only Kako has not moved after the completion of the residence, and she has been living in the place where she has been temporarily residing (now an annex). The Imperial Household Agency has explained that it has decided not to create a private room for Mako and Kako in the residence in order to save costs, but it has not been easy to gain the public’s understanding.

The annex was initially planned to be used as an office space for the Imperial Household staff who support the Akishino family, but some have pointed out that there may not be enough space for the staff because Kako will continue to live there. And plans are said to be in the works for the interior decoration of annexes and the construction of five new buildings in the future.

It is often said that there is an air of tension in the Akishino Palace. It is possible that there was more tension than usual because Kako’s separation is attracting a lot of attention.

By the way, what was the situation at the Palace during the couple’s visit to Vietnam?

Some of the staff felt as if they had been released from their pins and needles. They may have felt anew the weight of serving the Imperial Family and the pressure of being invisible.

Even though they were living separately, did Kako ever come and relax in the annex, which was only a stone’s throw away from the palace residence?

Kako is usually at the residence, but she doesn’t live there because she doesn’t have her own private room. It seems that she did not relax at the residence or visit …… just because the couple was absent this time.

Does this mean that Princess Eugene was basically alone at the residence?

The two are quite far apart in age, so there have been times in the past when their conversations have been a little off or not quite on the same page. It’s not that they don’t get along, or that there is a draft, or anything like that. I have heard that there were no special communicative scenes while the couple was away. In the first place, Kako had official duties, and when she arrived in Tottori on September 23, she was infected with a new type of corona and was recuperating there.

Kako’s troubles run deep and will not be easily relieved. ……