Japan Top Courtier Comments on Crown Princess Woes

[kirei_na_me]

TOKYO (Reuters) - In the latest twist to an unusually public feud over the plight of ailing Japanese Crown Princess Masako, Japan's top courtier responded on Thursday to a complaint by the crown prince about the pressure on his wife, saying he wanted to hear from the prince's own lips just what was wrong.

The tribulations of the 40-year-old princess leapt into the limelight on Monday when Crown Prince Naruhito took a public swipe at the pressure on Masako -- a Harvard-educated former diplomat -- to fit into a conservative royal mold.

More...http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=peopleNews&storyID=5131539

 

[Mandylion]

The same sort of thing that struck Masako also happened to Naruhito's mother (the current empress). It seems that people who marry into the family at the highest levels suffer at least one breakdown. Naruhito's mom lost the power to speak for a few months (so says the well informed wife).

Too bad - I hope Masako gets well soon.

 

[ashuri2]

that seems to go for marrying into most royal families- i mean, look at princess diana, she seemed to have faced much the same pressure and dealt with problems as well.

 

[kirei_na_me]

Two follow-ups:

Imperial Household Agency releases text of Crown Prince's explanation

The Imperial Household Agency on Tuesday released a statement from Crown Prince Naruhito concerning a press conference he held in early May in which he said that there were moves within the agency to suppress both the personality and the career of Crown Princess Masako.

Japanese prince stands by appeal

Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan has repeated an appeal for his wife to be allowed more freedom.

In a statement on Wednesday, he apologised for distressing his parents with controversial comments made last month, but did not retract them.

 

[ashuri2]

i'm proud of him for standing up for her like that. to speak so openly..i can imagine that shock waves being sent through the imperial family, prolly a 9 on the richetr scale (um, if it goes up that high...)

 

[Buddha Smoker]

The same sort of thing that struck Masako also happened to Naruhito's mother (the current empress). It seems that people who marry into the family at the highest levels suffer at least one breakdown. Naruhito's mom lost the power to speak for a few months (so says the well informed wife).

Too bad - I hope Masako gets well soon.

Me too...she seems like such a nice and tender person.