Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, turned 24 on Monday.
The princess has had busy but fulfilling days, balancing her work at the Japanese Red Cross Society with her official duties as a member of the imperial family. She also had new experiences, including her first official visit abroad.
This year, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, she joined her parents on their visits to Okinawa Prefecture, where a fierce ground battle took place during the final stage of World War II; Nagasaki Prefecture, where the United States dropped an atomic bomb in 1945; and the Tokyo Metropolitan Memorial Hall, renewing her strong commitment to peace.
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