Apologies for the delayed response.
Regarding Prince Hisahito's high school speculation (PLEASE remember these are from weekly magazines!)
- media focused on public Tsukuba University High School (Bunkyo Ward) and the private Tokyo University of Agriculture Daiichi High School (Setagaya Ward)
- allegedly, Hisahito's eventual goal (or his parents' goal for him) is the University of Tokyo
- Tsukuba University High School has a good reputation for that goal because about 30 of its students pass the University of Tokyo’s entrance exam nearly every year.
- Tsukuba University and Ochanomizu University established an “affiliated school admission/advancement system” since 2017 [-]which allows students to transfer WITHOUT taking academic test[/-] (This is the root of the criticism/speculation)
- Princess Kiko wanted to use the system to get Hisahito into Tsukuba University Junior High in 2019. However, the plan was shelved due to Kei Komuro problem/increased scrutiny on the Akishino family so Hisaito continued under the Ochanomizu system.
- Hisahito’s education at Ochanomizu has been questioned before. There were suspicions of “Imperial privilege” when his enrollment to Ochanomizu kindergarten was announced in 2009. The usual entry is through a lottery, group tests, and a highly selective process. At the time, Princess Kiko was honorary researcher at Ochanomizu University (eventually granted a Ph.D. in 2013 and is now an honorary research fellow). In order to support female teachers and researchers, the university has a “special admission system” to accept their children to the attached schools including kindergarten and that’s allegedly how Hisahito was admitted.
- Ochanomizu University’s “special admission system” was established only 1 year before Hisahito’s enrollment.
- media notices how convenient such admissions systems were setup before Hisahito’s enrollments
- Prince Akishino has been visiting professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture for 10+ years and that’s the connection with Tokyo University of Agriculture Daiichi High School.
- The relationship with Gakushuin is bad. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko haven’t attended alumni gatherings for 10+ years.
- Prince Akishino wanted to attend a different university but obeyed his father’s wishes and attended Gakushuin University but distanced himself since graduating.
- Emperor Emeritus Akihito intended to graduate from Gakushuin University but did not have enough credits to continue to the 3rd year due to public service, including attending Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. He was absent/didn't have credits for ~6 months. The university and IHA tried to negotiate a September graduation instead of March. However, Gakushuin University only gave 2 options in the end: repeat the year or drop out. Emperor Emeritus Akihito dropped out and audited the classes instead. Prince Akishino is aware of his father’s hurt and distrusts Gakushuin University.
IHA website says Emperor Emeritus Akihito “Finished education at Gakushuin University, 1956.” not graduated
Sources:
https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2021/12230601/?all=1&page=1
https://www.dailyshincho.jp/article/2022/01121132/?all=1
https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20220112_1719310.html?DETAIL
https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20210828_1686130.html?DETAIL
https://bunshun.jp/articles/-/51028
Despite media speculation about Imperial privilege or special admission… Prince Hisahito TOOK the entrance exam for Tsukuba University High School on February 13 like any other applicant. The entrance examination starts at 9am and ends after 3pm in 5 subjects: Japanese, Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Sciences. Media captured Hisahito entering the campus around 8am.
Results are released on Tsukuba University High School's website on February 16. The IHA announced his enrollment the same day.
Sources:
Sankei,
NHK
I haven't looked into Princess Kako's marriage rumors yet. I'll respond in a few days or so.
CORRECTION Sankei and
Jiji say Prince Hisahito used the "affiliated school admission system" but
NHK says he took the entrance exam anyway...??
Mainichi seems to have the clearest (?) Google translation that Prince Hisahito was admitted under the "affiliated school admission system" and he took the internal selection test on February 13
Asahi is similar to Mainichi. He was admitted under the "affiliated school admission system" and had to take the entrance exam/academic achievement test for pass decision. Weekly magazines were wrong.
I'm still not clear whether the academic achievement/internal selection test was the same as the entrance exam...