About Princess Yōko of Mikasa
Princess Yōko of Mikasa (瑶子女王, Yōko Joō; born 25 October 1983) is a member of the Imperial House of Japan, paternal second cousin of Emperor Naruhito and the second daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa (Nobuko). She is also the niece of Japan's 92nd prime minister Tarō Asō (who is the older brother of her mother), great-niece of author and literary critic Ken'ichi Yoshida, and great-granddaughter of Japan's 45th prime minister Shigeru Yoshida. == Biography == === Early life and education === Princess Yōko was born on 25 October 1983 at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center in Hiroo, Shibuya, Tokyo, the second and last child and daughter of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa and his wife Princess Nobuko. She attended the prestigious Gakushūin School for her primary, junior high, and high school education. The Princess is a graduate of the Gakushuin Women's College, the Faculty of Intercultural Studies, the Department of Japanese Studies with a bachelor's degree in Japanese studies. A practitioner of the traditional Japanese martial art of kendo from an early age, the Princess was selected to participate in exhibition tournaments in France and Germany in 2005, as well as the Aichi World's Fair held the same year. In July 2006, Princess Yōko attended the national convention Kendo Housewives. === Public appearances === Princess Yōko came of age in October 2003 and attended a press conference on her birthday, during which reporters asked her about her plans for the future. For the occasion, she received the second class of the Order of the Precious Crown and was able to begin to take part in royal duties and official engagements. Princess Yōko has been active in various volunteer activities, especially with the Japanese Red Cross Society, from December 2006 to November 2012.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.