[1] Following her birth, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture (male-only imperial succession) originally implemented in 1889 and reinforced by the World War II allies on the constitution of Japan.

Aiko remains at present legally ineligible to inherit the throne and she cannot succeed her father, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues.

After returning to school, a senior palace official said that she would attend a limited number of classes accompanied by her mother, upon advice from a doctor at the Crown Prince's household.

[12] Reports from an unnamed palace source close to the family stated that Aiko provided her mother Masako with emotional support in her new role as empress.

[20] On 5 December 2021, the Sunday after her 20th birthday, she participated in formal coming of age ceremonies wearing a tiara borrowed from her aunt, Sayako Kuroda and was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown by her father, Emperor Naruhito.

[24] Her next public outing was on 5 November, when she participated with her cousin Princess Kako of Akishino in a so-called "Gagaku" concert organized by the Imperial Household Agency.

[27][28] She began work at the Japanese Red Cross Society, of which her mother is honorary president, on 1 April 2024 after graduating from university.

Although Imperial chronologies include ten empresses regnant as female monarchs in the course of Japanese history, their successors were always selected from amongst the members of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century.

A government-appointed panel of experts submitted a report on 25 October 2005, recommending that the Imperial succession law be amended to permit absolute primogeniture.

Koizumi did not announce a timing for the legislation to be introduced nor did he provide details about the content, but he did note that it would be in line with the conclusions of the 2005 government panel.

On 3 January 2007, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced that he would drop the proposal to alter the Imperial Household Law.