<figure id="attachment_461368" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-461368" style="width: 675px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="2cbdb0fe"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/03/3474195ce8d2de33979db94dd6ad17a4.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-461368" class="wp-caption-text">Kako graduates from ICU in March 2019.</figcaption></figure>
<p> It&#8217;s graduation season.</p>
<p> Relatively fresh in the memory of the royal family is the graduation of Princess Kako of the Akishino family, 31, from International Christian University (&#8220;ICU&#8221;) in March 2019.</p>
<p> Since then, she has been energetically engaged in her official duties and continues to charm everyone she meets with her radiant &#8220;Kako smile. Kako chose ICU because &#8220;you can study a wide range of subjects without choosing a major. Here we introduce her &#8220;life after that,&#8221; as she stated in her graduation documents.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Her basic philosophy is to tackle each and every job she is asked to do with the utmost care.</span></p>
<p> This is how Kako responded to questions from reporters at the time of her graduation from ICU. True to her words, Kako has been visiting various places on official business.</p>
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<p> Her first appearance at the graduation ceremony in a black gown and square cap is still fresh in my memory, and I am surprised at how quickly the time has passed since that day.</p>
<p> The most attractive thing about Kako is that she is like the &#8220;pretty sister next door&#8221; who naturally makes her way among the people and brings cheer and cheerfulness to them with her smiling face.</p>
<h2> It&#8217;s just a dream.</h2>
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<p> In April last year, he visited Ishikawa Prefecture and met with people involved in lacquerware and ceramics, which were damaged by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and torrential rains, to hear about the situation at the time of the disaster and afterwards. He was impressed by the efforts of the people involved and their passion for production, and was reminded of the appeal of traditional crafts in Ishikawa Prefecture.</p>
<p> In May of the same year, he visited Gifu Prefecture to attend the 2025 National Urban Greenery Festival. At the ceremony held at the Gifu World Rose Garden in Kani City, Kako made the following remarks.</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> Flowers and greenery bring us comfort and relaxation. They also play an important role in mitigating global warming and preventing disasters, as well as nurturing a wide variety of living creatures.</span></p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> It is truly meaningful that you are caring for, protecting, and nurturing these irreplaceable flowers and greenery. I envision that this fair, &#8230;&#8230;, will be a catalyst for continued warm exchanges in which we protect and nurture flowers and greenery together in the blessed nature of this region.</span></p>
<p> In Gifu Prefecture, the visitors enjoyed close contact with the salamanders, listening to explanations from high school students about their conservation activities and playing with toys made of wood from Gifu Prefecture. For the high school students and children, Kako&#8217;s smile will remain in their hearts forever.</p>
<p> Kako continues to reach out to and encourage the people of Japan. Looking back, in her written response to the question &#8220;What is your dream for the future?</p>
<p><span class="strongInContent"> She answered, &#8220;My dreams for the future are just that, dreams, and I would like to keep them to myself as before.</span></p>
<p> She answered, &#8220;My future dream is just that, a dream. What kind of dream does Kako have? We hope that her dream is on its way to realization.</p>
<div data-friday-nextpage-lead=" Kako in gown and square cap...Her &quot;first graduation&quot; photo"></div>
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<figure id="attachment_461369" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-461369" style="width: 687px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="15434197"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/03/ca64cb7c2e78316012a9b317147bcc80.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-461369" class="wp-caption-text">The black gown and horned hat are a first for her.</figcaption></figure>
<figure id="attachment_461370" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-461370" style="width: 518px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="#" data-ident_hash="eb06a02b"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/fridaydigital/image/private/t_article_image/wpmedia/2026/03/f1cf4ce327b15b7ebb155fc18c4cc831.jpg" alt=""></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-461370" class="wp-caption-text"> Princess Kako graduated from ICU in Mitaka, Tokyo</figcaption></figure>
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 Kaori Takagi

 Kyodo News

 It's graduation season. The Imperial Family is reminded of Kako, who will graduate from ICU in March 2019. In a written response to the press, she said, "I will carefully tackle each and every job I am asked to do. We look back at how she lived up to her commitment.

Seven years have passed since her first appearance in a gown and square cap&#8230; Kako&#8217;s official duties &#8220;just as she said when she graduated from ICU&#8221; and her radiant smile

Seven years have passed since her first appearance in a gown and square cap… Kako’s official duties “just as she said when she graduated from ICU” and her radiant smile

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