Princess Tsuguko at 40

Princess Tsuguko of Takamado is celebrating her 40th birthday today!

Princess Tsuguko was born on the 8th March, 1986, at the Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo, a comprehensive perinatal medical centre. The Princess is the eldest daughter of the late Prince Takamado (1954-2002) and Hisako, Princess Takamado (b. 1953). Princess Tsuguko is not, however, in the Japanese line of succession. The Imperial Family follows absolute primogeniture, which bars women. Tsuguko has two younger siblings: former princesses Noriko and Ayako.

The Princess celebrated her Coming-of-Age in March 2006, receiving the Order of the Precious Crown (second class).

Photo: 内閣府 – 勲章の種類（宝冠章）- 内閣府, CC BY 4.0

After attending Gakushūin Primary and Gakushūin Girls’ Junior and Senior High Schools respectively, the Princess studied abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. From 2004 to 2008, the Princess immersed herself in the fields of criminal psychology and sociology.

Later graduating in 2013 from Waseda University in Tokyo with a B.A. major in International Liberal Studies and a minor in Life Science. The year 2013 also saw the Princess visit Sri Lanka, at the invitation of the President, to celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In 2018, Princess Tsuguko became the Honorary President of the All Japan Archery Federation and the Honorary Chairman of the Japan Squash Association.

Princess Tsuguko attended the Enthronement ceremonies of Emperor Naruhito in October 2019.

The Princess accompanied her mother, Princess Takamado, to the wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein and Princess Rajwa of Jordan in the summer of 2023.

Princess Tsuguko today works at the Japan Committee for UNICEF, while still attending official engagements and ceremonies as a member of the Imperial Family. The Princess has an interest in humanitarian work and Japanese culture.