Princess Kiko marks 60th birthday with reflective message

Princess Kiko of Akishino celebrated her 60th birthday on September 11. In a lengthy written message released to the press, she reflected on her 36 years of marriage and the growth of her family, noting how her household expanded with the births of Princess Mako, Princess Kako, and Prince Hisahito.

Regarding her health, she mentioned engaging in physical exercises with Prince Akishino to maintain fitness. She also touched upon the upcoming changes to the Imperial House Law, stating that the family has discussed the matter and that she intends to “watch over [her children] while wishing for their happiness.”

The message included reflections on her recent visit to Paraguay, where she encountered memories of her eldest daughter, Mako, who had visited the country a decade prior. While previous birthday messages contained specific mentions of her grandchildren, this year's text did not include the word “grandchild,” a change noted by observers in the context of the family's ongoing distance from Mako and her husband, Kei Komuro.