佳子さま、手話であいさつ　高校生コンテスト

　秋篠宮ご夫妻の次女佳子さまは２７日、東京都千代田区のホールで開かれた「第４０回全国高校生の手話によるスピーチコンテスト」に出席された。
　佳子さまが非常勤嘱託職員として勤務する全日本ろうあ連盟などの主催。手話を交え、「誰もがより幅広い選択肢を持てる社会になることを、強く願っております」とあいさつし、出場した１０人の高校生一人一人に拍手を送った。
　佳子さまの同コンテストへの出席は、単独では２回目。これまで手話と声で同時にあいさつしていたが、今回は冒頭を除いて手話のみで行い、手話通訳者が声の部分を担当した。宮内庁によると、佳子さまは手話と声で同時に行うことに難しさを感じており、変更したという。（2023/08/27-15:24）

Japanese Princess Kako attended the 40th national high school sign language speech contest held in Tokyo on Sunday.
   "I strongly hope that a society where everyone can have a wider range of choices will be created," the princess, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, said using sign language. Princess Kako gave applause to each of the 10 high school students who joined the event.
   This is the second time that Princess Kako has attended the contest on her own.
   In past contests, Princess Kako delivered her messages in both sign language and voice. This time, she used only sign language except for the opening part of her message, and a sign language interpreter was in charge of the voice part.
   The change was made as the princess felt difficulties using both sign language and voice at the same time, according to the Imperial Household Agency.