Japan's royal fans will have been pleased to see Crown Princess Masako in positive spirits when she stepped out with her husband Naruhito this week. The 42-year-old, who been battling a stress-related illness since 2003, seemed to be in more upbeat form when she went along to Tokyo Airport to see her in-laws off as they began a tour of Southeast Asia.
In recent times much has been made of the former diplomat's emotional difficulties, which many commentators attribute to the pressure put on her to produce a male heir. Concerns over the future of the Chrysanthemum throne were eased somewhat when Prime Minister Koizumi put forward proposals to change the country's constitution, doing away with the clause that forbids women from acceding and thereby paving the way for Masako's daughter Aiko to one day become empress.
Things took an unexpected turn in February this year, however, when it was revealed her sister-in-law Princess Kiko had become pregnant. Should the new arrival be a boy, he will become second in line, after his uncle Naruhito, and the Imperial Household's worries would be assuaged, for the moment at least.
Following the announcement Japan's political leaders decided to put any changes to the law on hold until after the birth. In the meantime it would appear Masako's health is continuing to improve, as she has made a series of public appearances in recent months.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
