Marking her 74th birthday on Monday, Empress Michiko of Japan released a statement, talking about the joy of her four grandchildren and concern for her husband’s health. 
Michiko talked especially about her granddaughter, 6 year old Princess Aiko, the daughter of her eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako.
‘‘It was Aiko’s turn to start school this year, making this a happy year indeed,’’ the empress said in a written reply to questions from the Imperial Household Agency press corps.
‘‘I sometimes think that perhaps the way we perceive and what we find amusing may be quite similar.”
‘‘On hearing certain expressions or sounds of words from those around us that I think she may find funny, I glance at her and I have caught her looking at me with laughter in her eyes,’’ she said. ‘‘Moments like this make me feel very happy.’’
Michiko also commented on her only grandson, 2 year old Prince Hisahito, who she says is “growing up in sound health”
What is worrying the Empress is her husband, Emperor Akihito, who has been experiencing some health problems recently. He was diagnosed with increased risk of developing osteoporosis and has been under hormonal treatment since he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in 2003.
The empress said that she joins the emperor in early morning walks and other exercises, which doctors say are helpful in fighting the side-effects of the hormonal treatment. ‘‘The doctors have advised us to increase the amount of exercise’’ the emperor should take, she said.
When asked about the health of her daughter-in-law, Crown Princess Masako, Empress Michiko refrained from giving away too much information. She simply said, ‘‘The crown princess is a precious person for the crown prince as well as for our entire family and there is no change in my earlier words that I will ‘continue praying for the full recovery of the crown princess, and will watch over her and give her my support.‘’’
Masako has been suffering from depression for several years. The Harvard educated diplomat has rarely been seen in public, and has not accompanied her husband on foreign visits since 2005. Like Masako, Empress Michiko was a commoner who married the heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
If there was one thing the Empress perhaps wishes for most, is to spend more time with her family.
‘‘Each household has its own schedule and circumstances,” she said, ‘‘[But] if we could continue to see them as often as our schedules permit, it would make us truly happy.’’
In late February, Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa advised Crown Prince Naruhito to visit his parents along with his family more often at the palace. Emperor Akihito has said it was ‘‘unfortunate’’ that he had not had many opportunities to meet Princess Aiko.
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