Crown prince seeks public understanding for ailing wife

Saturday 12th July, 06:17 AM JST

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Latest 15 of 79 Total Comments Show All

Blue_Tiger at 07:15 AM JST - 15th July

USARonin, I just hope she stops it with the "poor me" thing. Sometimes your choices in life bring depression about. That's part of living in the world today. Deal with it, and move on....
USARonin at 07:34 AM JST - 15th July

"USARonin, I just hope she stops it with the "poor me" thing."

BeeTee, where in the JapanToday article, above, does it say CP Masako makes her thoughts or speech on any of this? It's all supposition and innuendo (is that rudundacal?).

You're attributin' an attitude and mindset to CP Masako that nowhere in this article exists.

Please don't be a "Nancy Grace", 'cause EnGee must be stopped.

USAR
RepublicofTexas at 10:54 AM JST - 15th July

what are really the main purpose of those IHA assistants

The main purpose of the IHA (in all seriousness) is to manage the Imperial family's image, as well as set up appointments, sort of like a PR person, secretary, and "servants" rolled into one.
WilliB at 05:24 PM JST - 15th July

Blue Tiger:

" Princess Masako was a grown woman when she made the decision to marry Prince Naruhito. "

Easy for you to pontificate. We are not her shoes, we can not start to imagine what sort of pressure she was under from her family and the imperial minions to go along with this. Remember how long she hesitated? Sneering is is easy when you are free.
Xentrix at 10:08 PM JST - 15th July

This is intended to "Republic of Texas", Thank you from your clear answers. But may I ask some more questions, How can they be so strict (IHA) and bullying the princess if their works seems professional? Don't they like the princess? They are stressing the princess that is why she cannot comply her duty as a princess. Maybe the princess needs time to contemplate on what she experienced on the hands of the IHA assistants. In my own opinion if she do something hastily like a divorced or making something for her common good. I think crown prince Hiro's image is at stake. Everybody is expected him to become the next Emperor in Japan.
RepublicofTexas at 10:37 PM JST - 15th July

Xentrix

Don' mention it. I myself am a little confused by how much power the IHA has over the royal family, so I can't really answer your first question. as for your second, I don't think that they dislike the princess, but rather they are overly concerned with her bearing a male heir. I think now that Hisahito has been born they should let up a little on her give her some more freedom and space. I think that the IHA takes their job of protecting the Imperial Family a little too far. They are so concerned with a male heir and sheltering the Imperial family that they are actually hurting it. One would think they would notice this, so the whole thing baffles me. Also the next Emperor of Japan would be Naruhito, Hirohito was the current emperor's father. I strongly disagree with the belief that the Imperial family itself is the problem, but rather i think it is the IHA. The entire family has a lot of pressure put on them. Unlike many Western royals they have to always be "perfect" and scandal-free, they have a wide array of ancient Shinto rituals they must perform, plus they have all the diplomatic demands that other royals have. Lastly, though I have the utmost sympathy for Princess Masako, one has to put things in perspective. Empress Michiko not only faced Masako's problems, but she was also disliked by her mother-in-law and yet she has continued her official duties, even at her current age.
Blue_Tiger at 10:50 PM JST - 15th July

WilliB - Sorry, but I still have very little sympathy for her. Family pressure, imperial pressure aside, she was a grown up when she made the decision. As a grown up, she could have turned the CP down.
Xentrix at 01:22 AM JST - 16th July

To Republic of Texas: you have that authentic knowledge about IHA and about Japan's Royal Family. Thank you so much from your concise and thorough explanations and answers. I agree from all of your discussions. Well I just mention about "crown prince Hiro" in my last comment I think his childhood name is Prince Hiro no miya. If I'm wrong then you can correct me again. Don't you worry, I appreciate much of your answers you have that unique intellect. Hug you...In your last sentence "Empress Michiko not only faced Masako's problems, but she was also disliked by her mother-in-law and yet she has continued her official duties, even at her current age." I think the women of yesterday has a long patience more than those new generation women. Me too I don't have a lot of patience. I cannot focused on my work if I'm so stress. The worst is that I don't know whose the secret people paralyzing my success eventhough I am just an ordinary divorced lady.
cleo at 01:40 AM JST - 16th July

Empress Michiko not only faced Masako's problems, but she was also disliked by her mother-in-law and yet she has continued her official duties, even at her current age.

And she has suffered bouts of being unable to speak, caused by stress. The environment of the Imperial Household is not conducive to robust mental health. If the Crown Prince really cares for his wife (and I think he does) he should let the Moustachio'd One take over as heir and take Masako and Aiko far away from the diseased clutches of the IHA.
Xentrix at 03:06 AM JST - 16th July

Cleo dear, When you mentioned about moustachio'd, IT TICKLES ME...ha!ha!ha! Just joking...
RepublicofTexas at 08:50 AM JST - 16th July

Xentrix you're right on the Prince Hiro, it's just that I've rarely (maybe once or twice) heard Prince Naruhito referred to by his childhood name. Sorry.
Xentrix at 04:08 PM JST - 16th July

Republic of texas: it's ok, it is fine...I still appreciate your brilliant mind. Sometimes we forget names especially nicknames or childhood names.
GlowingStar at 07:09 AM JST - 17th July

It's been a long years that Princess Masako experienced depression because of her surroundings (IHA)working people. Why can't she suggest to her father-in law to let those harmful IHA working people leave the palace and let them resigned from work. Then replace them to some Professional, competent, trustworthy, loyal plus stress free maker new IHA personnel. Change some suffocated system is also for the betterment of her health, peace of mind and emotional being. I bet the princess can move easily, can comply her duty as a crown princess and she can even help in an extra ordinary way in bringing accomplishments and excellency towards their majestic Royal Family Imperial Household.
ashishbhandiye at 10:40 PM JST - 17th July

Get well soon princess. my best wishes for recovery from illness.
flyingfish at 01:39 PM JST - 18th July

she should start doing some work or give me my taxes back