Noriko’s desire to “make Eugene an Emperor with a degree from the University of Tokyo” conveyed by Princess Noriko

It is said that when Eugene chose to enter kindergarten at Ochanomizu rather than Gakushuin, it was strongly influenced by Noriko’s wishes. While respecting the independence of each child, Noriko has also provided Eugene with a thorough “Imperial Education” in accordance with her own policy. Her enrollment in a difficult-to-enter high school is the culmination of her efforts,” said a reporter from the Imperial Household Agency.

On March 16, it was announced that Prince Eugene, 15, the eldest son of the Akishino family, had been accepted to Tsukuba University High School (Chikuzuke).

When Prince Eugene entered Ochanomizu, it was decided that he would need to take the high school entrance examination. On the other hand, it should have been foreseeable that the public would criticize the use of the affiliated school entrance system, saying that it would be a privilege. Even so, the fact that Princess Noriko chose to go to Chikuzuke, a preparatory school, instead of Gakushuin shows that she wanted Princess Eugene to enter Tokyo University,” said the reporter in charge of the matter.

Noriko’s father, the late Tatsuhiko Kawashima, and Noriko’s younger brother also attended graduate school at the University of Tokyo. Since Noriko herself transferred to Gakushuin in the middle of elementary school and went on to university, there have been whispers for some time that she has various feelings about the University of Tokyo. Some people believe that the family is trying to “redeem themselves” by talking about “passing a difficult school and becoming a future student of the University of Tokyo.

Should she be a “graduate of the University of Tokyo”?

Masako has been in the firing line for many years because of her position as Crown Princess and the question of her succession to the throne. On the other hand, the Akishino family has cultivated a public image of a “new Imperial Family” that is relaxed and carefree, as evidenced by the sisters Mako and Kako going to ICU and Kako being reported to be active in a dance club. This impression was undoubtedly shattered by the turmoil over Kei Komuro, which was triggered by media reports at the end of 2005.

The public image of the “new imperial family” has been fostered by the media coverage of the incident at the end of 2005, and this impression has undoubtedly been shattered by the incident involving Kei Komuro. With the Komuro-san fiasco, the Akishino family has received a great deal of criticism from the public in the ‘required as a member of the royal family’ area. On the other hand, Masako became Empress and Aiko went on to study at Gakushuin University, which has colored the ‘traditional image of the Imperial Family’ symmetrical to that of the Akishino family. Under these circumstances, Noriko may have wished to protect the image that the future emperor is excellent,” said a reporter from the society department of a national newspaper.

Earlier this year, the report of the Council of Experts on Succession to the Throne, which was based on the premise of “the process up to His Eugene,” was submitted to the Diet, and it is becoming a foregone conclusion that His Eugene will eventually succeed to the throne. On the other hand, the number of students who have been accepted to the University of Tokyo at Chikuzuke is 22 (in 2009), which means that approximately 10% of the students in the school year have been accepted to the University of Tokyo. The probability of the birth of an “Emperor of Japan with a degree from the University of Tokyo” has never been higher.

Chikuzuke is known for its liberal school culture, but students cannot afford to be complacent when it comes time for entrance examinations. If he were to take the general entrance examination, Prince Eugene would have to enter the fiercely competitive field.

In the first place, how necessary is the title of ‘University of Tokyo’ for a person who is likely to become the emperor? The University of Tokyo is a university where people who have won the competition desperately with their parents and children come to aim even higher. Once Eugene is admitted to the university, various voices will be raised again. It may also cause him a lot of anxiety. Of course, His Highness Prince Eugene has the freedom to go on to higher education, but I don’t think there is any need for him to be too particular about his academic background,” said Yuji Odabe, professor emeritus at Shizuoka University of Social Welfare.

When the time comes for university entrance exams, what course will the Akishino family take? Will it be Noriko’s “wishes” that are respected at that time?

From the March 11, 2022 issue of FRIDAY