Princess Kako’s Office Casual Look Brightens Rainy Season

One evening in late June, when Tokyo had entered the rainy season, two women emerged from a weathered building in Shinjuku Ward.

At first glance, they appeared to be office workers heading home after work — but for over two hours prior, sharp-eyed men and women had been stationed around the building, repeatedly patrolling the sidewalks that formed their movement lines. The number of vigilant guards indicated that they were escorting a high-profile VIP.

The true identity of this “VIP” OL is Princess Kako of Akishino (29). In fact, the building in question houses the “All Japan Federation of the Deaf,” where she has been working as a part-time contracted employee since May 2021. Initially expected to work around three days a week, her schedule shifted to telework for a while due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as announced by the Imperial Household Agency. Subsequently, information ceased, and “Josei Jishin” reported “no sightings of her commuting,” raising doubts about her actual work status.

However, the contracted employee, Princess Kako, does exist! Moreover, her office casual attire, which seems to defy the rainy season sky, suits her well.

“Her outfit is coordinated with lightweight materials from head to toe, giving a contemporary OL fashion impression. The gently swaying knee-length long skirt is feminine, elegant, and yet not flashy due to its monochrome colors, making it a tasteful choice that garners favor in the workplace.” (Stylist)

On that day, what kind of work was she doing, and how often does she currently commute? The “All Japan Federation of the Deaf” declined to respond to this magazine’s inquiry.

While we were able to catch a glimpse of her precious OL appearance, the true identity of the contracted employee, Princess Kako, remains shrouded in mystery.

From the July 19, 2024 issue of FRIDAY