佳子さま、２６歳に　コロナ禍、オンラインで活動

　秋篠宮家の次女佳子さまは２９日、２６歳の誕生日を迎えられた。新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大の状況を案じながら、お住まいの宮邸でオンラインを活用し、活動を続けている。
　宮内庁によると、ご家族で専門家からコロナに関する説明を聞くなど、オンラインでの活動は５月以降で３５件に上る。例年出席していた「全国高校生手話パフォーマンス甲子園」は９月にオンライン開催となり、ビデオメッセージを寄せた。
　１月に東京都内で開かれた「聴覚障害児を育てたお母さんをたたえる会」では、手話であいさつ。２０１４年に紀子さまと一緒に出席したことはあったが、一人での参加は初めてで、手話の新しい表現などを事前に何度も練習した。
　コロナ禍で普段は外出を控え、宮邸で静かに過ごしているという。（2020/12/29-00:17）

Japanese Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 26 on Tuesday.
   While worrying about the novel coronavirus situation, Princess Kako, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, is continuing her activities online at her residence.
   According to the Imperial Household Agency, the princess has participated in 35 online events since May, including listening to explanations about the virus from experts with her family.
   In September, she delivered a video message to the annual national sign language contest for high school students, which was held online. She usually attends the event in person.
   In January, Princess Kako participated in a gathering in Tokyo to honor mothers who raised hearing-impaired children, giving a speech in sign language. It was the first time for her to attend the annual meeting alone. She took part in the 2014 gathering with her mother. Princess Kako practiced new expressions in sign language again and again for the 2020 event.