Japanese Princess Kako Goes Viral After Being Spotted Asleep In Economy Class

Princess Kako of Japan received praise after a viral video showed her flying economy class on a flight to Brazil for a state visit.

The 30-year-old is the niece of Emperor Naruhito and a member of Japan’s imperial family.

In June, the princess visited South America at the invitation of the Brazilian government. She toured the country for 11 days, visiting eight cities.

The purpose of the trip was to commemorate 130 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Brazil.

Japanese Princess Kako seated in economy class cabin interacting with passengers during a flight.

Princess Kako of Japan was praised for choosing to fly economy on her trip to Brazil

Image credits: rwthofficial/X

Kako was seen falling asleep shortly after taking her economy class seat, her head resting against the plane’s window.

Before boarding the flight, she had visited four different locations on the same day, according to Japanese media.

Japanese Princess Kako asleep in economy class seat near airplane window during a flight with other passengers nearby.

Image credits: rwthofficial/X

Many on social media applauded the royal for choosing to fly economy, viewing it as a sign of humility.

“She looked like a porcelain doll. It is completely understandable to feel tired with such a packed schedule,” one commented, as per the South China Morning Post.

“Thank you for your hard work, please get some rest♥️♥️♥️” another user wrote.

🇯🇵🇧🇷
It has been on viral for #Japan’s Princess Kako of Akishino who made her official visit to #Brazil. The Princess was seen travelling in a commercial flight from São Paulo to Campo Grande. She was among her followers and other passengers in the flight.… pic.twitter.com/jHyryqbUm8

— Royal World Thailand 🇹🇭 (@rwthofficial) June 18, 2025

“Videos like this should not be shared,” argued a third. “Princess Kako is a hardworking and humble role model. We should protect her, not expose her.”

Princess Kako is the niece of Emperor Naruhito and a member of Japan’s imperial family

Japanese Princess Kako wearing a black hat and white coat, attending an outdoor event with greenery in the background.

Image credits: Nippon Television

The princess has taken on a more prominent role in Japan after her older sister, Princess Mako, gave up her royal title and moved to New York in 2021 with her husband.

“I believe I should carry out every task I am humbly entrusted with, sincerely and respectfully,” Princess Kako said in her coming-of-age ceremony.

Kako embarked on her first official solo overseas visit in 2019, going to Austria and Hungary.

Japanese Princess Kako greeting people and going viral after being spotted asleep in economy class on a flight.

Image credits: Nippon Television

Despite being younger, Prince Hisahito— the brother of Princess Mako and Princess Kako—is next in line for the throne, as women are barred from royal succession in Japan.

Princess Kako participated in figure skating and won a district championship in 2007.

She later studied performing arts and psychology at the University of Leeds in the UK, in addition to studying at Trinity College Dublin. She graduated from university in 2018.

She is also fluent in sign language—the royal has worked for the Japanese Federation of the Deaf—and is involved in charity work.

She visited Brazil to commemorate 130 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and the South American country

Japanese Princess Kako wearing a traditional kimono while standing next to a man in a suit at an event in Brasilia.

Image credits: Nippon Television

Japanese Princess Kako wearing traditional kimono, looking down while attending a formal event with others in the background

Image credits: Nippon Television

From the late nineteenth century until the end of World War II, Japan’s emperor held sovereign power and commanded the army and navy. However, under the postwar Constitution, the emperor’s role was redefined as “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the People.”

Therefore, the imperial family no longer influences national politics and is instead limited to ceremonial duties, such as carrying out “acts in matters of state” as stipulated in the Constitution.

These acts include promulgating laws, convoking the National Diet (Japan’s legislature), and meeting with visiting royals and heads of state.

The 30-year-old royal has been described as “the hope of Japan” by local media

Japanese Princess Kako smiling and interacting with elderly man outdoors, viral moment captured in casual setting.

Image credits: Nippon Television

Though her brother will become emperor after her uncle and father, Princess Kako has been referred to as “the hope of Japan” by local media.

Her bold and colorful fashion choices, which contrast with Japan’s conservative royal looks, have also earned her compliments and sparked a “Kako craze” in the country.

A blue knit top she donned during a visit to Greece last year sold out in Japan after two days.

Japanese Princess Kako smiling and talking with two people outdoors near Iguazu Falls in Brazil on June 15, 2025.

Image credits: Nippon Television

Her trip to Brazil included visits to Rio de Janeiro and the capital, Brasília, where she met President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

She also visited the memorial to pioneer Japanese immigrants at São Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park.

“I felt that the immigrants made an enormous effort to adapt to Brazil, and still today are very active in different areas,” she said. “The fact that Brazil sheltered the Japanese community made the connections between the two countries to become deeper.”

Her trip to Brazil included visits to Rio de Janeiro and the capital,Brasília

Japanese Princess Kako smiling and speaking into a microphone at a public event, dressed in traditional attire.

Image credits: Nippon Television

Japanese Princess Kako smiling and applauding at an indoor event, surrounded by seated attendees in formal attire.

Image credits: Nippon Television

At a closed ceremony, the 30-year-old royal was awarded the Order of the Ipiranga, one of the highest civilian honors awarded by the state of São Paulo.

Japanese immigration to Brazil peaked between 1926 and 1935. Today, Brazil is home to the largest population of Japanese descent outside Japan, estimated at about 2.7 million, as per the Associated Press. About half live in São Paulo state.

Netizens praised the “down to earth princess” after the viral clip

Comment from Joseph J Kim praising Japanese Princess Kako for flying economy class on a Japan to Brazil flight.

Comment by MrJustin RamenBoy expressing respect for Japanese, mentioning some insist on business while others do not in travel class context.

Comment by Justin Yam reacting to Japanese Princess Kako going viral after being spotted asleep in economy class.

Comment by Nancy Wong defending Japanese Princess Kako for sleeping in economy class during a flight, urging respect and decency.

Japanese Princess Kako resting while seated in economy class, capturing attention for her down-to-earth demeanor.

User comment by Jake Thomas expressing a positive sentiment about the situation.

Comment by John Paparich praising Princess Kako as the meaning Princess of the Economy Class with positive reaction icons.

User comment saying she leaves the plane before reaching cruising altitude, in a casual online discussion.

Comment about Princess Kako going viral after being spotted asleep in economy class, mentioning exhaustion and taking a nap.

Comment by Mar GO Obañana expressing admiration for Japan and its humility with 35 likes received.

Comment from Marcus Homes questioning why a princess is flying economy class, related to Japanese Princess Kako viral news.

Comment by Charmine Joy B. G stating she gets exhausted after talking and meeting people, explaining it’s natural and human.

Japanese Princess Kako asleep in economy class seat, wearing casual clothes and resting during a flight.

Comment about economy class travel and appreciating living within one’s means, shared by Pears Amma.

Comment highlighting surprise that Japanese Princess Kako is flying economy class on a social media post.

Comment by Cartier Lee stating support for flying economy regardless of identity, relating to Japanese Princess Kako viral economy class.

Comment by Handy Wijaya defending Japanese Princess Kako after long flight, mentioning touring Brazil and Japanese-Brazilians.

Comment by Bi Han Choi praising humble nature of Japanese people despite life status, related to Japanese Princess Kako viral moment

Japanese Princess Kako asleep in an economy class airplane seat during a viral moment caught by fellow passengers.

Comment by Paulo Santos saying it is easy to do that in an area where nobody knows or cares about you.

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