A book by a female member of the royal family sold 300,000 copies within three months of its release! Behind the Scenes of Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko’s Hit Book on her Study at Oxford

In a “Special Contribution” to Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko, the story of how she came to write a book about her study abroad is described.

When she asked Her Imperial Highness Prince Akiko to extend her period of study at Oxford University so that she could continue her doctoral studies, one of the conditions she was given was “to publish an account of her study abroad.

At the time, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko apparently accepted this condition, saying, “As long as I was not abroad for a long period of time to perform official duties, I felt that as a member of the Imperial Family, I had an obligation to report my achievements to the people who had supported me.

Unfortunately, His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito passed away in 2000, and we were not able to see his study abroad report.

In addition, this special contribution also mentions “a present for my father” that Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko made when she was in kindergarten. It was a wallet made of origami, with a round piece of paper cut out inside that was supposed to be a coin, and a square piece of paper cut out inside that was supposed to be a banknote. More than 25 years after the gift, it came out of the wallet of His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito.

Several other episodes with His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito came up, but it was the episode that brought tears to my eyes, showing the deep emotional connection between His Highness and His Imperial Highness. The editor in charge of “Voice” at the time of its serialization, who also had a young daughter at the time, was so moved that his voice trembled when he told His Highness how he felt after reading the manuscript. ……

When I met with him, I was impressed to see a picture of His Imperial Highness hanging in the reception room. I think he is a special presence who is always watching over us even now,” said Nakamura.

Possibilities for a new collection of essays?

Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko grew up in an environment where she was always accompanied by a personal guard when she went out. The first time in her life that she walked the streets alone was not in Japan but in Oxford,” which may have reminded some readers of the story in the movie “Roman Holiday.

She has tried buying cheap airline tickets on the Internet and cooking for herself every day after coming to Oxford, but her biggest challenge will probably be her research for her doctoral degree.

In this book, he talks about the pain of writing his doctoral dissertation, saying, “I never want to write again. However, it was precisely at such times that the “red and blue gown,” the title of this book (a special gown that only those who have completed a doctoral program are allowed to wear), suddenly came to mind and became a “goal” that brought him back to his original “self.

The five years at Oxford University’s Merton College must have been invaluable to Her Royal Highness Princess Akiko.

There are some people who are looking forward to a sequel to this book, but since it is a book about studying abroad, it seems that they think it is impossible at this point.

There are still some people who do not know about this book. I secretly hope to deliver this book to as many people as possible and make it a national bestseller,” Nakamura said.

But,” he says,

I am currently discussing with His Highness about overseas publication and making the book available as an audiobook. The three of us on the editorial team share the belief that it would be our responsibility as editors to repay our loyal readers by publishing the next book.

(Mr. Nakamura). The day when we can come across a new book may not be far off.