The heir to Japan’s throne spoke of concern for his father and praised his wife, in an interview given just days before turning 49 years-old. 
Crown Prince Naruhito emphasized the importance of people around Emperor Akihito, including himself, thoroughly contemplating the issue of alleviating his burden while respecting his wish to fulfill his duties.
“I will do whatever it takes to help improve the situation,” the Crown Prince said.
In January, the Imperial Household Agency announced that duties for the Emperor and his wife, Empress Michiko, would be reduced.
Concern for the 75 year-old Emperor increased last December, when it was revealed that he was suffering from a stomach ulcer, possibly due to stress. It is believed tensions between the Emperor and the Crown Prince are the cause for the illness.
Asked by a reporter for his opinion on the Imperial succession, widely believed to be one of the sources of the Emperor’s stress, the Crown Prince said he should refrain from making comments even though the issue is important.
As for the issue of the mental health of Crown Princess Masako, Naruhito said, “Masako and I are both pleased that she is becoming able to carry out public duties that she could not before.”
But Naruhito, speaking Friday, said she must not push herself when she is in good health as it could hamper her progress.
“Her doctor has told me that she needs to take careful steps so that her condition does not regress by pushing herself too hard,” the Crown Prince said, adding she should be “in no hurry” to make her full return to official duties.
The doctor has also said it would be desirable for the princess to find her “life work” in addition to bringing up children, he said.
Masako had a successful career as a diplomat before marrying Naruhito in 1993. She was expected to produce a male heir, but instead was childless for many years. Her only child, a daughter named Aiko, was born in December 2001. Pressures to produce a son and the strain of being a Crown Princess caused Masako to develop a stress-induced illness, and she has been seen little in public since 2003.
Succession issues has been a major issue for the Japanese Imperial Family. The Emperor has only one grandson, 2 year-old Hisahito, the son of Naruhito’s brother. Talk of changing the succession laws to allow women to inherit the Chrysanthemum throne linger, especially since experts say one male heir is not enough to secure the Japanese monarchy.
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