Overview
- The Imperial Household Agency released images of the family's two cats to mark the day, confirming both are rescues and noting one photo was taken by Empress Masako.
- Mimi, a female tortoiseshell adopted via an animal hospital in August, was brought in as a companion for longtime resident cat Seven.
- Princess Aiko turned 24 on December 1 and visited the Sento Imperial Residence to greet the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita.
- Over the past year she balanced her role at the Japanese Red Cross with a busier public schedule, delivering her first public remarks at a disaster‑medicine meeting in May.
- She completed a first official overseas visit to Laos in November and joined memorial visits to Okinawa, Nagasaki, and Tokyo during the 80th postwar anniversary.