Royal life tiring Japanese Princess

Japan’s crown prince Naruhito says his wife has become exhausted from the pressures of royal life, motherhood and media scrutiny over t...

Japan’s crown prince Naruhito says his wife has become exhausted from the pressures of royal life, motherhood and media scrutiny over the couple’s lack of a male heir, and asks that she be left in peace. Naruhito, who turned 44 today, blamed the media for its role in those pressures during a birthday news conference.

Princess Masako has kept a low profile since she was hospitalised for a few days in December for Herpes Zoster. The princess said last month that her health had deteriorated because of intense mental and physical strain from being in an unfamiliar environment.

Masako, a Harvard graduate who gave up her career at the Foreign Ministry to marry Naruhito in 1993, has occasionally alluded to the difficulties of adjusting to royal life. She had a miscarriage before giving birth to a daughter in 2001.

Pressure to produce a male heir has continued, Naruhito said at the Togu palace, where he and Masako live with 2-year-old princess Aiko. ‘‘Fortunately, our child was born, and two months later she returned to her official duties. But amid her duties and child rearing, and media’s demands, her exhaustion accumulated,’’ he said. ‘‘Pressure of having another child was also heavy.’’

— (PTI)