Naruhito
63-456: [REDACTED] Fumihito [REDACTED] Shigeru Ishiba ( LDP ) Second Ishiba Cabinet ( LDP – Komeito coalition ) [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Fukushiro Nukaga Kōichirō Genba [REDACTED] Masakazu Sekiguchi Hiroyuki Nagahama Saburo Tokura Kazuo Ueda Labour Relations Commissions ( 労働委員会 , Rōdō Iinkai ) are Japanese government commissions responsible for protecting
126-642: A Roman Catholic family. Although Shōda was never baptized, she was educated in Catholic schools and seemed to share the faith of her parents. Rumors also speculated that Empress Kōjun had opposed the engagement. After the death of Fumihito's paternal grandmother Empress Kōjun in 2000, Reuters reported that she was one of the strongest opponents of her son's marriage, and that in the 1960s, she had driven her daughter-in-law and grandchildren to depression by persistently accusing her of not being suitable for her son. On 29 June 1990, Fumihito married Kiko Kawashima ,
189-465: A Juris Doctor. However, Harvard's bureaucrats would not give her credit for her study-time at the University of Tokyo." Therefore, Masako enrolled in her second choice, studying international relations under Sir Adam Roberts at Balliol College , Oxford . However, for unclear reasons Masako did not finish her thesis and instead returned to Japan in 1990. Masako first met Prince Naruhito at
252-665: A PhD in ornithology from the Graduate University for Advanced Studies . In 1990, he married Kiko Kawashima , with whom he has three children: Mako , Kako , and Hisahito . In November 2020, Fumihito was officially declared heir presumptive to the throne, during the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince ( Rikkōshi-Senmei-no-gi ) in Tokyo . Preceding his investiture as Crown Prince, the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate had resulted in some politicians holding
315-533: A favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture , which was implemented in 1889 and reinforced on the constitution of Japan by the Allies after World War II . However, once Fumihito and Kiko had their son Hisahito in September 2006 he became next in the line of succession following his father. Fumihito's niece and Emperor Naruhito's only child, Princess Aiko , remains at present legally ineligible to inherit
378-661: A son, Hisahito , who was third-in-line to the Chrysanthemum Throne under the current law, after his uncle, the Emperor, and his father, Prince Akishino. In 1994, the couple visited Saudi Arabia , Oman , Qatar and Bahrain . They visited Kuwait , the United Arab Emirates and Jordan in 1995, and again traveled to Jordan in 1999. In 1999, they also went to Belgium to attend the wedding of Prince Philippe, Duke of Brabant . In 2002, they paid
441-578: A tea for Infanta Elena of Spain , in November 1986, during her studies at the University of Tokyo . The prince was immediately captivated by her and arranged for them to meet several times over the next few weeks. Because of this they were pursued relentlessly by the press throughout 1987. However, Masako's name disappeared from the list of possible royal brides due to controversy about her maternal grandfather, Yutaka Egashira, who while working for
504-580: A three-day state visit to the United Kingdom in late June 2024, at the invitation of King Charles III . The imperial couple had originally planned to visit in 2020 as guests of Queen Elizabeth II, but the state visit was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The rescheduled visit went ahead despite concerns of postponement due to the British general election campaign that began in late May. It
567-695: A visit to New Zealand and Australia . In 2006, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess went to the Netherlands with their daughter, Princess Aiko, at the invitation of Queen Beatrix for a private visit. On 30 April 2013, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were present at the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands , which was the Crown Princess's first official overseas appearance in eleven years. In October 2014, she
630-631: A woman to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne . A government-appointed panel of experts submitted a report on 25 October 2005, recommending that the Imperial Succession Law be amended to permit absolute primogeniture. On 20 January 2006, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi used part of his annual keynote speech to address the controversy when he pledged to submit a bill to the National Diet letting women ascend to
693-636: Is Empress of Japan as the wife of Emperor Naruhito . Born in Tokyo, Masako was educated at Belmont High School in Massachusetts before attending Harvard College earning a B.A. , magna cum laude , in economics . She also studied law at the University of Tokyo and international relations at Balliol College, Oxford . She then worked for Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a diplomat . Masako met Crown Prince Naruhito in 1986. They married in 1993; their only child, Aiko, Princess Toshi ,
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#1732783612508756-473: Is also known as a "catfish specialist," has managed to maintain and expand the aquacultural studies with the people of Thailand. The prince has worked as a researcher at The University Museum of The University of Tokyo where he also is an Honorary Fellow. Prior to Fumihito's birth, the announcement about the then-Crown Prince Akihito's engagement and marriage to the then-Ms. Michiko Shōda had drawn opposition from traditionalist groups, because Shōda came from
819-520: Is the heir presumptive to the Japanese throne . He is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito , and the younger son of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko . Since his marriage in June 1990, he has had the title Prince Akishino ( 秋篠宮 , Akishino-no-miya ) and has headed his own branch of the imperial family. Fumihito has a bachelor's degree in political science from Gakushuin University and
882-873: The Graduate University for Advanced Studies in October 1996. His doctoral dissertation was titled, "Molecular Phylogeny of Jungle Fowls, genus Gallus and Monophyletic Origin of Domestic Fowls ". He conducted field research in Indonesia in 1993 and 1994, and in Yunnan Province in the People's Republic of China. When the Emperor Emeritus was then Crown Prince, he introduced tilapia to Thailand as an important source of protein. Tilapia can be easily cultured and Prince Fumihito, who
945-616: The Industrial Bank of Japan was assigned to take over management of one of its creditors the Chisso Corporation to prevent it from financial collapse. Chisso, built in the 1930s, dumped the methylmercury used to make acetaldehyde (a chemical in plastic) into the water surrounding Minamata and other towns, causing the infamous Minamata disease and the resulting scandal. Despite this controversy and Masako's travelling to Oxford University 's Balliol College for
1008-611: The National Archives , Fumihito's requests to follow in his elder brother's footsteps and study in Britain were initially turned down by the Imperial Household Agency. Upon the death of his grandfather, Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), on 7 January 1989, the prince became second-in-line to the throne after his elder brother, Crown Prince Naruhito . The prince received a PhD degree in ornithology from
1071-621: The National Honor Society and participated in the school's math team and French club. Masako joined the school's softball team and won a Goethe Society award for her German poetry . Masako participated in a production of M*A*S*H . Masako's father was posted to Moscow after her high school graduation, but Masako remained in Boston to continue her education; In 1981 she enrolled at Harvard College , where she chaired
1134-639: The National Trade Union Council (Zenrokyo) has filed many labour relations commission cases against JR East regarding various types of unfair labour practices . A group of 23 petitions filed after 1991 alleged that 1,800 union members in six prefectures had been discriminated against in violation of article seven of the Trade Union Act of 1949 . Local labour relations commissions recognized discrimination in three prefectures, (Kanagawa, Tokyo and Akita) and an order for redress
1197-747: The Tokyo Imperial Palace on 22 October 2019. Naruhito and Masako's first trip abroad as emperor and empress took place in September 2022, to the United Kingdom to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II . They visited Indonesia in June 2023, their first state visit. In March 2024, Masako and Naruhito visited Wajima and Suzu , two cities affected by the Noto earthquake . The couple later visited an evacuation center in Anamizu on 12 April. Masako and Naruhito embarked on
1260-527: The Trade Union Act was amended to speed up the process of labour commission cases. In 2008, during the administration of Liberal Democratic Party Prime Minister Tarō Asō the government's devolution panel recommended abolishing the Central Labour Relations Commission and only retaining the prefectural labour relations commissions. The proposal was not adopted. The National Railway Workers' Union (Kokuro) affiliated to
1323-489: The 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In October 2002, they visited the Netherlands to attend the funeral of Prince Claus of the Netherlands . In September 2003, they made goodwill visits to Fiji , Tonga and Samoa , again, the first time ever members of the Imperial Family had visited these countries. In March 2004, the prince and princess returned to the Netherlands for the funeral of Queen Juliana of
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#17327836125081386-592: The Coronation of King Tupou VI . Over 40 members of the Japanese media covered the event, during which the happy-looking Crown Princess was warmly welcomed. Upon the abdication of Masako's father-in-law, Emperor Akihito of Heisei era on 30 April 2019, his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito became the 126th Emperor of Japan , and his wife, Masako became empress consort on 1 May. The Emperor and Empress of Reiwa era were enthroned ( Sokui Rei Seiden no Gi ) at
1449-568: The Emperor when he was hospitalized. He and other members of the imperial family visited the affected areas after the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011. From June to July 2014, Prince Fumihito and Princess Kiko visited Republic of Zambia and United Republic of Tanzania. In accordance with legislation passed allowing his father's abdication , he became heir presumptive to the throne on 30 April 2019. Once plans were announced for
1512-591: The Gakushūin. In April 1984, the prince entered the Law Department of Gakushuin University , where he studied law and biological science. After graduating from the university with a bachelor's degree in Political Science , he studied the taxonomy of fish at St John's College, Oxford in the United Kingdom from October 1988 to June 1990. According to British government documents released by
1575-575: The Holy Infant Jesus in 1872, Masako's mother and maternal grandmother had graduated from this school as well. It was here that Masako learned to play piano and tennis, joined a handicrafts club, and became interested in animals, tending several after school and deciding to become a veterinarian . Masako also studied her fourth and fifth languages, French and German . With a school friend, Masako revived Futaba's softball team, serving as third base and after three years bringing her team to
1638-717: The Imperial Household Economy Council to form a new branch of the Imperial Family. The marriage was bitterly resented by officials at the Imperial Household Agency , who had desired that the Prince adhere to tradition and not get married before his elder brother. Crown Prince and Crown Princess Akishino have two daughters and one son: Fumihito serves as the president of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and
1701-695: The Japanese Association of Zoological Gardens and Aquariums. He is also the honorary president of the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan , the Japan Tennis Association , and the Japan-Netherlands Association. The prince and princess have made numerous official visits to foreign countries. In June 2002, they became the first members of the Imperial Family to visit Mongolia , in celebration of
1764-666: The Naito clan that the Tokugawa shōgun had installed as the city's rulers 67 years earlier. After the fall of the shogunate, the Owadas participated in a salmon-fishing cooperative, the proceeds of which provided schooling for many local children, including Hisashi and his father Takeo. Her mother Yumiko is descended from the Egashira clan which served the Saga clans near Nagasaki on
1827-407: The Netherlands . In January 2005, they visited Luxembourg to attend the funeral of Grand Duchess Joséphine-Charlotte . From October to November 2006, they visited Paraguay to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Japanese emigration to that country. In January 2008, they visited Indonesia for a ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and
1890-714: The Republic of Indonesia. The prince and princess visited Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania in May 2009 on the occasion of "Japan-Danube Friendship Year 2009" and the Netherlands in August 2009 for the commemorative event of the 400th anniversary of the trade relations between Japan and the Netherlands. They have also visited Costa Rica, Uganda, Croatia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Peru, and Argentina. In addition, Fumihito carried out public duties on behalf of
1953-580: The University Center for French Studies at Université Grenoble Alpes . Masako worked with Jeffrey Sachs to obtain a B.A. magna cum laude in economics in March 1985. After graduation Masako moved back to Japan, where for six months (April to October 1986) she studied law at the University of Tokyo to prepare for the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs 's entrance examination. Out of 800 applicants only 28 passed; Masako
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2016-553: The accession of Emperor Naruhito. They visited Poland and Finland to participate in the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relationship between Japan and the two countries. In August 2019, the couple and their son, Hisahito, arrived in Bhutan for a visit. The public proclamation of Fumihito as crown prince did not take place on 19 April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic . His accession as crown prince took place privately. On 8 November 2020, Fumihito
2079-700: The age of five, Masako's family moved to New York City , where she attended kindergarten at Public School 81 in Riverdale. In 1971, the Owadas returned to Japan, moving in with Masako's maternal grandparents in Meguro while Hisashi returned to the Foreign Ministry office. She entered Futaba Gakuen, a private Roman Catholic girls' school in Den-en-chōfu , Tokyo. Established by the Congregation of
2142-407: The ancient traditions and a 1947 Imperial Household Law are perceived to be behind her illness, as well as negative media coverage of her behavior, the stress of royal responsibility and public life, and turf battles among the Imperial Household Agency . In December 2012, at the time of her 49th birthday, Masako issued a statement thanking the Japanese people for their support and saying that she
2205-456: The daughter of Tatsuhiko Kawashima (professor of economics at Gakushuin University ) and his wife, Kazuyo. The couple met when they were both undergraduates at Gakushuin University. Like his father, the emperor emeritus, the prince married outside the former aristocracy and former collateral branches of the imperial family. Upon marriage, he received the title Prince Akishino (Akishino-no-miya – strictly "Prince Akishino") and authorization from
2268-513: The district championships. In 1979, her second year of senior high school , Masako and her family moved to the United States and settled in the Boston suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts , where her father became a guest professor of international law at Harvard University 's Center for International Affairs . In 1981, she graduated from Belmont High School , where she was president of
2331-470: The engagement on 19 January 1993; the engagement ceremony was held on 12 April 1993. Although many were surprised at the news, as it was believed that the prince and Masako had separated, the engagement was met with a surge of renewed media attention directed toward the Imperial family and their new princess. Masako married Crown Prince Naruhito in a traditional wedding ceremony on 9 June 1993. By virtue of
2394-501: The forms of the imperial household's antique gold-traced white chrysanthemum. In addition, she was placed in the Japanese Imperial Order of Precedence (used for the most formal occasions) behind her mother-in-law, Empress Michiko , and her grandmother-in-law, Empress Dowager Nagako . The orchid flower Dendrobium cultivar Masako Kotaishi Hidenka was named in her honour to celebrate the wedding. Masako became
2457-418: The impending abdication and his brother's enthronement , Fumihito suggested that instead of using public money the imperial family should pay for the religious rituals in the enthronement as the constitution separates religion and state, despite the government agreeing to foot the bill. In June–July 2019, the Crown Prince and his wife carried out the first official overseas visit by the imperial family following
2520-584: The island of Kyushu . One of the Egashiras, Yasutaro, went on to command a battleship in the Russo-Japanese War . Yumiko's father was a wealthy banker who was at the time of her marriage the managing director of the Industrial Bank of Japan . Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD individuals that were given the title of empress posthumously individuals elevated to
2583-407: The labour ministry, from 1996 to 1999, the prefectural labour commissions took around 800 days on average to investigate a case, and the Central Labour Relations Commission spent 1,500 days in the reinvestigation process. It took roughly 500 days on average to litigate labour dispute trials brought before district courts. In 2003, various reforms were discussed to speed up the process of cases. In 2005,
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2646-648: The legal rights of workers in Japan under the Constitution of Japan and the Trade Union Act of 1949 . Each of the 47 prefectures of Japan has a prefectural Labour Relations Commission. The Central Labour Relations Commission is located in Tokyo. Parties dissatisfied with a decision in one of the prefectural labour commissions can appeal the Central Labour Commission. It also hears cases of nationwide scale or great importance. Commissioners of
2709-519: The marriage, Masako Owada assumed the formal style Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess of Japan . As tradition dictates, upon her entry into the imperial family and like other members, she received the blossom of the endemic curly-leaved Japanese Ramanas rose ( o-shirushi ( お印 ) ): Rosa rugosa ( hamanasu , beach aubergine ( ハマナス ) ) for an imperial personal emblem , which is mauve-lilac to crimson or white (rarely with cultivars to full or burst yellow), while her insignia as Crown Princess bear
2772-496: The next two years, Naruhito remained interested in her. Masako refused to marry the prince because it would force her to give up her promising career in diplomacy and severely restrict her independence and freedoms. Masako finally accepted his third proposal on 9 December 1992. It was reported that he argued that serving as Crown Princess of Japan would only be "another form of diplomacy" before she finally accepted this third proposal. The Imperial Household Council formally announced
2835-634: The prefectural Labour Relations Commissions are appointed by the governor of the relevant prefecture, while those at the Central Labour Commission are appointed by the Prime Minister . Commissioner numbers are distributed equally among commissioners from union, employer, and public interest backgrounds. Labour Relations Commissions have two main functions: While the labour commissions do have some powers to enforce decisions, they function more as forums to bring disputing parties together. More than 70% of cases end in some form of settlement. According to
2898-671: The school's Japan Society, "became quite close friends with the then Japanese consul in Boston, and volunteered as a kind of self-appointed diplomat and cultural ambassador" in the wake of mounting Japan–United States trade tension. Masako liked to ski and traveled overseas during vacations, staying with a host family in France and studying at the Goethe-Institut . Masako is fluent in English and in French, which she learned in 1983 at
2961-588: The state visit of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to Japan in April, Masako and Naruhito conversed with them without interpreters; the imperial couple are both fluent in English. Her doctors stated that she has not fully recovered but a strong sense of duty has helped her fulfill her responsibilities. Her father Hisashi is descended from the Owada clan , whose head Shinroku—Masako's 4th-great-grandfather —was called to Murakami in 1787 to serve
3024-818: The third commoner to marry into the imperial family, after her mother-in-law, Empress Emerita Michiko (Michiko Shōda) and her sister-in-law, Crown Princess Kiko (Kiko Kawashima). Masako's first pregnancy was announced in December 1999, but she miscarried . The Emperor and Empress have one daughter: Aiko, Princess Toshi ( 敬宮愛子内親王 , Toshi-no-miya Aiko Naishinnō , born 1 December 2001 at Imperial Household Agency Hospital in Tokyo Imperial Palace ) . Their daughter's birth, which occurred more than eight years after their marriage, sparked lively debate in Japan about whether The Imperial Household Law of 1947 should be changed from that of agnatic primogeniture to either cognatic or absolute primogeniture, which would allow
3087-618: The throne in order that the imperial throne be continued in a stable manner. Koizumi did not announce a timing for the legislation to be introduced nor did he provide details about the content, but he did note that it would be in line with the conclusions of the 2005 Government Panel. Plans to change the male-only law of Imperial succession were shelved after it was announced in February 2006 that Masako's brother-in-law and his wife, Prince and Princess Akishino , were expecting their third child. On 6 September 2006, Princess Akishino gave birth to
3150-422: The throne, so she cannot succeed her father. The pressure to produce a male heir affected Masako's health. She was diagnosed with adjustment disorder in 2004, which forced her to withdraw from public life periodically. As crown princess and empress, Masako has accompanied her husband on official visits to foreign countries and at ceremonies within the imperial court. Masako Owada ( 小和田雅子 , Owada Masako )
3213-401: The throne, while debate about the possibility of having future empresses regnant continues. As active working members of the imperial family, Fumihito and his wife Kiko's schedule includes attending summits , and organizational and global event meetings. The couple has particularly represented the Japanese imperial house in ceremonies involving heads of state and VIPs abroad. The prince
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#17327836125083276-409: The title Kōtaishi as heir to the throne, apparently due to personal reluctance as not being raised as crown prince unlike his older brother, and chose the title Kōshi (皇嗣 lit. "Imperial Heir") instead. Empress Masako The Emperor The Empress The Emperor Emeritus The Empress Emerita Masako ( 雅子 , born Masako Owada ( 小和田雅子 , Owada Masako ) ; 9 December 1963)
3339-608: Was a huge advantage—and was popular with most of her workmates." During her free time, Masako attended cooking classes to, according to interviews with her instructor, "be able to cook proper Japanese dishes when she was entertaining [foreigners]." Two years later, in 1988, Masako was chosen by the Ministry to be sponsored for two years' postgraduate study overseas with full pay, just as her father Hisashi had been years earlier. Masako "desperately wanted to go back to Harvard to do her master's". According to her former Harvard adviser Oliver Oldman, she "tried to re-enroll to work towards ...
3402-401: Was born in 2001. The birth fueled the ongoing Japanese imperial succession debate , which had resulted in some politicians holding a favorable view on rescinding agnatic primogeniture imposed by World War II allies on the constitution of Japan . However, with the birth of a son to Naruhito's brother, Prince Fumihito , in 2006, no amendments were made and Aiko remains ineligible to inherit
3465-406: Was born on 30 November 1965 at 12:22 am in the Imperial Household Agency Hospital, Tokyo Imperial Palace . His given name is Fumihito. His mother, Empress Emerita Michiko , is a convert to Shinto from Roman Catholicism . His childhood appellation was Prince Aya (礼宮 Aya-no-miya). He attended the primary and secondary schools of the Gakushūin . He played tennis in primary and secondary schools of
3528-483: Was born on 9 December 1963 at Toranomon Hospital in Toranomon , Minato, Tokyo . She is the eldest daughter of Yumiko Egashira (b. 1938) and Hisashi Owada (b. 1932), a senior diplomat and former president of the International Court of Justice . She has two younger sisters, twins named Setsuko and Reiko (b. 1966). Masako went to live in Moscow with her parents when she was two years old, where she attended Detskiy Sad (kindergarten in Russian) No. 1127 daycare. At
3591-447: Was formally declared first in line to the chrysanthemum throne. During the ceremony he said "I will carry out my duties by deeply acknowledging my responsibilities as crown prince". His older brother during his time as Crown Prince carried the title Kōtaishi (Crown Prince, 皇太子 lit. "Great Imperial Son"), and was also referred by the Japanese press with this title until his accession to the throne. However Prince Akishino did not receive
3654-602: Was issued. The company appealed this to the Central Labour Relations Commission in Tokyo. The Central Labour Relations Commission brokered a deal, and in 2005, Kokuro withdrew the 23 cases claiming anti-union discrimination against its members. In return the company paid compensation estimated at 360 million yen. Fumihito, Crown Prince of Japan The Emperor The Empress The Emperor Emeritus The Empress Emerita Fumihito, Crown Prince Akishino ( 秋篠宮皇嗣文仁親王 , Akishino-no-miya Kōshi Fumihito Shinnō , born 30 November 1965, Japanese: [ɸɯmiꜜçi̥to] )
3717-469: Was one of them, along with two other women. "She was assigned, first, to the oddly named Second International Organizations Division which deals with Japan's relations with international agencies, such as the OECD , a club of 30 rich countries committed to free trade and development. Her assignments included dealing with the OECD's environmental affairs committee ... by all accounts she acquitted herself well—her command of spoken languages, so rare in Japan,
3780-412: Was present at a banquet held in honour of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, which was her first appearance in such a ceremony in eleven years. She welcomed the couple during an official ceremony at the palace which was her first appearance in a welcoming ceremony after five years. In July 2015, Princess Masako traveled to Tonga with the Crown Prince in order to attend
3843-413: Was reported to be seeking treatment. On 11 July 2008, Naruhito sought public understanding for his ailing wife. He was on an eight-day trip to Spain without her: "I would like the public to understand that Masako is continuing to make her utmost efforts with the help of those around her. Please continue to watch over her kindly and over the long term." Pressures to produce a male heir, to conform with
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#17327836125083906-441: Was still receiving treatment for her illness. The Japanese Constitution does not allow the members of the Imperial Family to engage in political activities. Naruhito made controversial comments about discourtesies and pressures placed on his wife by the Imperial Household Agency and his wife's desire to pursue the life of a diplomat. In 2019, Masako accompanied her husband at official events and at his accession ceremonies. During
3969-403: Was the first state visit in modern times to take place during an active election campaign. Masako has periodically been out of the public eye, largely between 2004 and 2014, reportedly due to emotional disorders speculated to be caused by the pressure to produce a male heir and adjusting to life in the Imperial Family. In July 2004, she was diagnosed as suffering from adjustment disorder and
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