Even the Princess must go to School

Little Princess Aiko started Kindergarten in Tokyo yesterday. The four year old daughter of the Crown Prince, Naruhito and his wife, Princess Masako, attended a ceremony with her parents and her new classmates.

The Monarchy is a big issue in Japan at the moment, as currently only men are allowed to succeed the thrown. However Aiko is an only child, causing something of crisis. This has led to Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi considering passing a law to allow women to ascend.

In recent months, however, Princess Masako revealed she was pregnant, meaning that the proposed legislation is on hold, as Japan holds it's breath to see if she will give birth to a son.

This has had a traumatic effect on the Princess, who rarely seen out in public due to stress and pressure.But she accompanied Princess Aiko, who was smartly outfitted in a navy blue skirt and blazer and a matching hat, as she set off for her first day at nursery school.The Japanese school year begins in April