S/ Princess Kako / I hope understanding will be deepened toward various languages including sign language, the inability to hear, being hard of hearing, and backgrounds and situations that are different from your own.

Princess Kako gave a speech at a national high school sign language speech contest in Tokyo on August 18.

This is the fourth time for the niece of Emperor Naruhito to attend the event aimed at spreading the use of sign language and promoting related volunteer activities.

Since last year, she has refrained from speaking during her speech to avoid giving the impression that sign language is something that is used in tandem with spoken language.

Ten high school students competed in the event.

Kako is a part-time staff member of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf.

She is the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito of Akishino.