On a day she was supposed to celebrate her 45th birthday, Japan’s Crown Princess Masako, will be sitting out the celebrations, as she is suffering from both a cold and a fever. 
Instead, the future Empress released a few statements to mark her birthday.
The Crown Princess, who suffers from a stress-induced illness, expressed happiness at having been able to attend a ceremony to welcome King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain in November, which marked her first official appearance in five years.
‘‘It was my first attendance at such a ceremony in a while, and I am delighted and truly grateful that I was able to take part in the ceremony with the support of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko,’’ the Crown Princess said.
Masako did not completely address her stress-induced illness, but she did address her lack of royal appearances over the years.
“I am not able to fully perform all of my duties,” she said.
“But I feel I have been able to do many things little by little. I would like to continue my efforts under the direction of my doctors.”
‘‘I was worried sometimes that it wouldn’t be possible for me to complete all the preparations for the Crown Prince’s trips abroad and for our move, but I’m relieved that I could manage thanks to the help of all the people around me including agency officials.’’
The Crown Princess was referring to her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito’s official trips this summer to Brazil, Spain and Tonga as well as the family’s move to temporary housing due to refurbishment of their residence.
Meanwhile, a team of doctors serving the Crown Prince’s household, who are looking after the Crown Princess, said in a separate statement that Masako is trying hard, working on many nonpublic duties and dedicating herself to raising her 7-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, who also had to cancel her recent birthday celebrations due to a fever.
But ‘‘the situation remains that she feels heartache for being unable to fulfill her duties as she would like,’’ the statement said. ‘‘The biggest reason behind her distress is that she is going through unpredictable ups and downs in her physical and mental state.’’
Noting that some believe her treatment has dragged on too long and that the agency should be more forthcoming about the prospects for the treatment, the statement said, ‘‘The fact that the treatment is taking a long time shows that the stress she has endured is substantial and we believe that alleviating her stress requires time.’’
Also mentioned in her statement, was Masako thanking Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko for their support.
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