Crown Princess Masako arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as she turned 55 on December 9, 2018.
Crown Princess Masako arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo as she turned 55 on December 9, 2018.
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Ayaka Tazumi, 5, presents flowers to Empress Michiko of Japan as she and Emperor Akihito prepare to leave the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto on July 9, 2009.
Ayaka Tazumi, 5, presents flowers to Empress Michiko of Japan as she and Emperor Akihito prepare to leave the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto on July 9, 2009.
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Japanese Empress Michiko, left, chats with a girl while watching children draw pictures at a daycare center in Tokyo on May 15, 2009.
Japanese Empress Michiko, left, chats with a girl while watching children draw pictures at a daycare center in Tokyo on May 15, 2009.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images
Prince Hiro, also known as Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, studies a globe with his mother, Empress Michiko, at Togu Palace in Tokyo in February 1968.
Prince Hiro, also known as Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, studies a globe with his mother, Empress Michiko, at Togu Palace in Tokyo in February 1968.
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Japanese Princess Ayako, the third daughter of the late Prince Takamado, and her fiancé Kei Moriya attend a news conference to announce their engagement at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018.
Japanese Princess Ayako, the third daughter of the late Prince Takamado, and her fiancé Kei Moriya attend a news conference to announce their engagement at the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo on July 2, 2018.
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Japan's Princess Ayako and her new husband Kei Moriya speak to reporters after their marriage ceremony in the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on October 29, 2018.
Japan's Princess Ayako and her new husband Kei Moriya speak to reporters after their marriage ceremony in the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo on October 29, 2018.
Yoko Wakatsuki
Princess Mako, right, the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her fiancé Kei Komuro smile during a news conference to announce their engagement on September 3, 2017.
Princess Mako, right, the eldest daughter of Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko, and her fiancé Kei Komuro smile during a news conference to announce their engagement on September 3, 2017.
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The Japanese royal family photographed during the Autumn Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on November 9, 2017.
The Japanese royal family photographed during the Autumn Garden Party at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on November 9, 2017.
The Asahi Shimbun/The Asahi Shimbun
Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in the royal household's 1,500-year history to marry someone outside of the aristocracy.
Akihito became the first Japanese emperor in the royal household's 1,500-year history to marry someone outside of the aristocracy.
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Princess Kiko of Akishino, honorary president of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, addresses the 70th Tuberculosis Prevention National Meeting on February 28, 2019 in Tokyo.
Princess Kiko of Akishino, honorary president of the Japan Anti-Tuberculosis Association, addresses the 70th Tuberculosis Prevention National Meeting on February 28, 2019 in Tokyo.
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Princess Aiko leaves Togu Palace on July 22, 2018 in Tokyo en route to England. During her first solo-stay abroad, the 16-year-old daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako will be housed in a student dormitory at Eton College.
Princess Aiko leaves Togu Palace on July 22, 2018 in Tokyo en route to England. During her first solo-stay abroad, the 16-year-old daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako will be housed in a student dormitory at Eton College.
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Princess Kako of Akishino attends her 20th birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace on December 29, 2014 in Tokyo. Kako, granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, prayed at the Three Palace Sanctuaries in the palace grounds, after which Emperor Akihito bestowed her with a decoration known as the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown.
Princess Kako of Akishino attends her 20th birthday celebration at the Imperial Palace on December 29, 2014 in Tokyo. Kako, granddaughter of Emperor Akihito, prayed at the Three Palace Sanctuaries in the palace grounds, after which Emperor Akihito bestowed her with a decoration known as the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown.
The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images