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Princess Akiko Mikasa of Japan received an honorary doctorate in art history from Ankara University on Wednesday, marking an extraordinary milestone as the third generation of her family to be honored by the same Turkish institution.
The ceremony at Ankara University's rectorate building began with a moment of silence and the singing of the Turkish national anthem before the honorary degree was conferred upon the princess for her contributions to art history.
"A family may have three generations of doctorate holders, but I believe it is extremely rare in the world for three generations of the same family to receive honorary doctorates from the same university in a foreign country," Princess Mikasa said during the ceremony.
The princess acknowledged her family's long-standing connection to Türkiye, expressing humility about her achievements compared to her predecessors. "The activities I have carried out so far cannot be compared in any way with the successes of Prince Takahito Mikasa and my father, but I am deeply moved by the appreciation of our three-generation bond with Türkiye, which we have cherished," she said.
"I take great pride in the bond we have established with Türkiye for three generations and in the honorary doctorates we have received from Ankara University. I will make every effort to make the torch of Japan-Türkiye friendship, lit by the efforts of many people, especially Prince Takahito Mikasa and my father, shine even brighter. I offer my thanks for today."
This historic honor continues a tradition spanning decades within the Japanese imperial family. Ankara University previously awarded honorary doctorates to Prince Takahito Mikasa in 1986 and Prince Tomohito Mikasa in 2010, establishing an unprecedented academic relationship between the Turkish institution and three generations of Japanese royalty.
University Rector Prof. Dr. Necdet Unuvar emphasized that Türkiye-Japan friendship extends far beyond diplomatic relations. "This friendship is a multi-dimensional bond spanning from culture to science, from art to humanity, kneaded with mutual interest, understanding and respect dating back centuries," he said.
"Since its establishment in 1946, our university has adopted building bridges with different cultures and developing international academic cooperation in the light of science and universal values as one of its most fundamental missions," Unuvar added.
The ceremony coincided with the 101st anniversary of Türkiye-Japan diplomatic relations, adding symbolic significance to the academic honor. Following the formal proceedings, commemorative photographs were taken and a tree was planted to mark Princess Akiko Mikasa's visit to the university.
The rare three-generation academic recognition highlights the enduring cultural and educational ties between Türkiye and Japan, representing what university officials described as a "new emblem" of the countries' ancient friendship.
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