Royal Profile: Hanako, Princess Hitachi

Hanako, Princess Hitachi was born 19 July 1940 as the fourth daughter of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru and Hisako Mōri.

Growing up as part of Japanese Aristrocracy on both her mother and father's sides of the family, she attended the school of Royals: Gakushūin School. Upon receiving her diploma, she  Gakushūin Women's Junior College, obtaining her degree from there in 1961. 

She met her husband-to-be, Masahito, Prince Hitachi, while studying at Gakushūin. Their engagement was announced in April 1964, and they were married a few months later, in  September. They have no children.

Princess Hitachi, like her husband, was elected on 5 September 2007 by the other members of the imperial family to be one of their main representatives (there are two in total) to the Imperial Household Council as a member in 2007. The current council members and reserve members were relected in 2011 {Source}.

In 2017, the Princess was diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis and was hospitalized in September for further treatments. She made her first public appearance in April 2018. It was her first public engagement in 11 months{Source}.

She is an avid advocate for the arts and welfare of the common people. Some of her honorary postitions include:

• Honorary President of the Japan Ikebana Art Association
• Honorary President of the Japan Animal Welfare Society
• Honorary President of the Japan Equestrian Federation
• Honorary President of the Nippon-Latin American Ladies' Association
• Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society

She is also a translator of books from English to Japanese. Some of these titles include:

• The Eighty-Ninth Kitten by Eleanor Nilsson (published in 1987)
• The Most Obedient Dog in the World by Anita Jeram (published in 1996)
• It was Jake by Anita Jeram (published in 1997)
• A Guide Dog Puppy Grows Up by Caroline Arnold (published in 2001)

Through her marriage, she is an aunt to the current Emperor