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Zoey Zhang

Princess Kako of Japan has attracted attention online after a photo of her sleeping on an economy flight to Brazil went viral.
The 30-year-old princess is the niece of Emperor Naruhito and a member of Japan’s imperial family.
Her younger brother, Prince Hisahito, is next in line to the throne, as Japan still bars women from royal succession.

In June, Princess Kako visited Brazil on an 11-day trip, touring eight cities at the invitation of the country’s government.
During a domestic flight, she was seen flying economy class and resting against the window.
In the video, Princess Kako appears exhausted and falls asleep shortly after taking her seat.
According to the Japanese media, she had visited four different locations on that same day.
The candid moment drew sympathy and praise from the public.

One netizen wrote: “She looked like a porcelain doll. It is completely understandable to feel tired with such a packed schedule.”
“Videos like this should not be shared. Princess Kako is a hardworking and humble role model. We should protect her, not expose her,” said another.
In 2021, Princess Kako’s older sister, Princess Mako, gave up her royal title and left the crown family to marry her college sweetheart and moved to New York.
Since then, Kako has taken on a more prominent role in the public eye and now often represents the royal family on solo overseas trips.
She is admired for her beauty, grace, and sincerity, with Japanese media calling her “the hope of Japan”.

At her coming-of-age ceremony, she said: “I believe I should carry out every task I am humbly entrusted with, sincerely and respectfully.”
She has also admitted that her biggest weakness is her short temper.
Princess Kako was once a figure skater and won a district championship in 2007.
She later studied performing arts and psychology at the University of Leeds in the UK. She is also fluent in sign language and is actively involved in charity work.
The princess has also become a fashion icon and sparked a nationwide “Kako craze” in Japan.

Unlike the typically conservative fashion choices of the Japanese royal family, which usually include black, white, and earth tones, Princess Kako often chooses bold colours and intricate, lively designs to express herself.
In Brazil, she wore a white dress with camellia prints. Photos of the outfit received more than 500,000 likes on social media.
During a visit to Greece last year, Princess Kako was seen in a royal blue knit top.
Two days later, the item sold out in Japan, and the brand’s website saw a fivefold increase in traffic.
On another trip, she wore porcelain earrings made with traditional craftsmanship. Sales of the earrings increased 50-fold within just a few days.
The fashion moments sparked a wave of admiration online.
One netizen said: “Her outfits are never boring. Princess Kako truly shows the charming, lively and stylish side of royalty.”


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Viral stories

Japan’s Princess Kako goes viral after photo of her asleep on economy flight emerges

Japanese Princess Kako has gained widespread attention online after a photograph of her asleep on an economy flight went viral. Photo: SCMP composite/Imperial Household Agency of Japan

Japan’s Princess Kako is well known for her unusually flamboyant fashion choices. Photo: Wenxuecity.com

Princess Kako boards the plane and makes her way to her economy class seat. Photo: Wenxuecity.com

The tired princess sleeps with her head resting on a window of the aircraft. Photo: Wenxuecity.com

The princess and the president of the Brazilian Society of Japanese Culture, Roberto Nishio, plant a tree in the Japanese pavilion in São Paulo on June 5. Photo: AFP 

‘Determined’ China thief steals 8 cars during travels to avoid cost of air ticket home

A Chinese man stole eight cars, one after the other, to make his journey home after deciding the air ticket he had booked was too expensive. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/QQ.com

Surveillance footage shows Chen on the road, behind the wheel of one of the stolen cars. Photo: 163.com

Chen targeted vehicle showrooms and unattended car parks during his crime spree. Photo: 163.com

The police arrested Chen after they found him asleep inside a car he stole. Photo: 163.com

China canteen worker’s moving ‘eat well’ speech at graduation evokes feelings of mum’s care

A Chinese canteen worker has moved students to tears with a speech she gave at their graduation ceremony. Photo: SCMP composite/cnr.cn


The canteen worker addressed a huge body of students at the ceremony. Photo: Baidu

The caring cook looked resplendent in her uniform and hat as she spoke to the students. Photo: Baidu

A group of professors applaud the cook’s thoughtful and inspirational speech. Photo: Baidu

Some students at the ceremony were moved to tears by the cook’s words. Photo: Baidu

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While she was growing up, Liu Kaixin lived life in a state of constant pain. Photo: Douyin

Despite her condition, Liu does her very best to enjoy the good things in life. Photo: Douyin

Liu is in and out of intensive care on a regular basis. She even completed her master’s thesis while receiving medical treatment. Photo: Douyin

Liu’s condition requires her to be fitted with lots of medical equipment. She jokingly refers to herself as a “cyborg”. Photo: Douyin 

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A exhausted Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldier saved five people from drowning in a lake after defying his worried mother’s plea for him to stop his heroics. Photo: SCMP composite/163.com

Hero Zhang Wei leaves the hospital after being treated for exhaustion. Photo: The Paper

The People’s Liberation Army soldier was presented with a bouquet of flowers for his life-saving efforts. Photo: The Paper

Zhang’s mother was overcome with emotion when she recalled what her son had done on the day of the incident. Photo: The Paper

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A Chinese boy has touched hearts online after he wore a photograph of his late mother on his chest while sitting a crucial examination. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Chen prepares to place flowers on the grave of his beloved late mother. Photo: Douyin

The dutiful son kowtows in respect after laying the flowers on his mother’s final resting place. Photo: Douyin

Chen, bearing the small photograph of his mother on his chest, was one of the more than 13 million young people who sat the recent “gaokao” examination. Photo: Douyin

News

People & Culture

Image of fashion-conscious member of traditionally conservative royal family snoozing on trip to Brazil splits online opinion


Image of fashion-conscious member of traditionally conservative royal family snoozing on trip to Brazil splits online opinion.


Japan

Emperor Naruhito

Japan’s Princess Kako goes viral after photo of her asleep on economy flight emerges

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Image of fashion-conscious member of traditionally conservative royal family snoozing on trip to Brazil splits online opinion

Image of fashion-conscious member of traditionally conservative royal family snoozing on trip to Brazil splits online opinion