Princess Aiko debuted in hosting foreign dignitaries for an introduction to traditional Japanese duck hunting at an imperial pond east of Tokyo on February 14.

Her cousin Princess Kako also played host.

Ambassadors and other officials from about 12 countries including Canada, Turkey and Iraq took part in the event at Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve in Ichikawa, Chiba Prefecture.

Aiko and Kako experienced the practice of catching wild ducks using nets without harming them.

They then released the birds on the lawn and watched as they took flight.

Kako is a daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, and Aiko is the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Before their marriage, the emperor and empress went on a date at the preserve, where Naruhito proposed to Masako.