Princess Aiko turned 24 years old on December 1.

This video shows her receiving a lesson on the Laotian language ahead of her first official visit to Laos in November.

Imperial Household Agency officials said the visit to Laos, where she experienced the Southeast Asian country’s history, traditions, culture and nature, made a lasting impression on the princess.

They said she hopes for further advancement of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Laos.

Aiko also made war memorial visits to Okinawa and Nagasaki with her parents Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.

Officials said Aiko expressed deep respect for efforts by war survivors, bereaved families and storytellers to convey the history of hardships and the value of peace to future generations.

She also renewed her own strong commitment to peace.

During her first visit to a disaster-hit area in Ishikawa’s Noto Peninsula, Aiko was moved by seeing the situation and hearing the thoughts of those affected.

On her trip to Niigata Prefecture, she attended a national conference on disaster prevention and gained insights into disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts.

She hopes to apply the experiences she gained regarding Red Cross and volunteer activities during her regional visits to her future work.

In August, Aiko welcomed a 4-and-a-half-month-old female rescue cat and named her Mimi.

On weekends, she strolls through the Imperial Palace grounds with her parents, interacts with horses in the stables and police dogs on the grounds, and enjoys playing volleyball and other activities with staff.