To Sachi,

How do you find thick local accent in just two words, "Like you.", while she did not say "I am glong to the hospital today." ?

Mao, Tokyo, Japan

The remark of the person who is close to the Crown Prince is quite unfair to the public because the name of the Princess’ disease has publicly announced as adjustment disorder and the disease name depression is categorically denied by the head of Imperial Household Agency and Prince Masako herself. We are grateful for all the other royal family members’ devotion to the county and highly appreciate their stance to let their officially appointed doctors explain their health conditions. I’m just perplexed with what kind of disease one can skip almost all the duties, regardless of light or heavy, and enjoy full luxurious private life. Is it so wrong to assume she is suffering from diplomatic illness?

Take, Kobe, Japan

It's just mind-blowing how the princess is bombarded with criticisms for what she simply didn't do,say,or have any responsibility for. This gives me a good glimpse into the hell she has been going through. To her credit, 'insensitive' remark that she supposedly made to the boy on crutches in Australia was actually done by someone else. Judging from the thick local accent of the person who said that, it was one of the local people by her side, possibly an attendant for her or staff at the facility . And it is often the case that they are escorted by a big convoy of policemen and SPs whenever members of the imperial family go out to pay a visit, officially or privately, to a facilty. That often ends up creating a mess in thier way, but is one of facts of life in Tokyo, like delay of train schedule on JR Chuo Line, which people take for granted. It is unfair to criticize only the Crown couple for what any other members of the imperial family are not blamed for.

Sachi, Houston, U.S.A.

In Japan, to talk about Imperial Family in open, if it bears a critical tone, has been deemd a kind of taboo. Consequently, almost all media have avoided to make even a few criticism to Crown Prince and princess. The compere and TV personalities always give inoocuous comments to them like "We Japanese are happy to see Masako smiling cheerfully, when can we see her smiling again?" with the image on their back that she enjoys her private life on the very next day she skipped official duties in gossip show, despite how they really feel. If one criticise Imperial Family publicly, he'll be the target of the fierce attack in various ways, so most media have kept themselves away from opening a Pandra's box.In this sense, Times Online has provided a good bear pit for us.Though I, personally, am proud of our Imperial Family and hope their prosperity, I'm worried if whole Imperial Family should be under the fire of the public criticism because of the current condition of Crown Prince family.

Mao, Tokyo, Japan

I thought there was the tradition that they practice charity and think a great deal of their religion in the West. But they say Masako who does not them at all is a modern Western style and the Imperial Household which does them is old-fashioned and conventional. I am disappointed in the West and proud of our Imperial Household.

momo, Tokyo, Japan

Let me make clear the whole situations involving Princess Masako from a Japanese point of view, since there is a great disparity between what is reported by overseas media and what is really the problem as we the locals see it.
She may have graduated from Harvard and studied at Oxford-although she failed master's degree at the latter-she was never a high-flying diplomat at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, was someone who never got along with people around. She married Crown Prince for want of whatever was there that attracted her, be it status, high life or power, while it is true about Crown Prince's obsession with her then.
Yes, we were all sympathetic with her when she became psychologically unstable and believed that the Imperial Family was to blame.
Then after many years of domestic media reports, facts and whistle-blowing, we are beginning to believe that her personality had much to do with the present situations.

Mai, Hyogo, Japan

She is someone who is never interested in royal duties of working for causes such as charity, being with the suffering, the challenged and the under-privileged. She could never play royal diplomat because she would often make insensitive remarks towards people, which is why she is no longer assigned to that task within the Imperial Family.
Now she finds great pleasure in dining out, going to Disney Land, ski resorts and so on, which is all fine because royals need time out just like all of us; it's OK even when she is refusing to perform royal duties on a full scale because she can’t stand being a royal. The problem is she is doing all of this under the pretense of Adjustment Disorder or more unofficially, Depression, diagnosis made four years ago and never really explained by her alleged 'doctors'. We are furious and at the same time resigned about her not working and splurg: after all, it is our money, that is being used by this alleged 'intelligent, highly-educated woman.'

Mai, Hyogo, Japan

Believe it or not, lots of photos, videos, articles, and her own comments at the press conference show that she is not a right person as the Crown Princess from the beginning. That's the tragedy for all of us, especially for Masako herself.

She lacks sympathy with others.

When she visited a hospital, she showed a picture to a boy who had a problem on his feet with a big walking tool. The picture was her daughter, toddler Aiko, pushing the cart to start walking. Then she pointed out the picture and said "Oh, like you!" she was laughing. She didn't understand that the boy was having a hard time to
walk with the tool. She just wanted to show him her baby's picture, she was amused she found the resemblance between the tool and the cart. She was supposed to console him.

I can't forget that she wore the white dress at the wedding of her sister in law, princess Sayako. What was she thinking? Did she do it on purpose? or just a lack of common sense?

Sorry, but I can't respect her.

mayu, hokkaido, japan

I would like to add Rena's comment.

Princess Masako crave to go abroad. However, according to Masako's mother commented on Japanese magazine " Going to abroad will certainly help her, but it means not to go to any foreign countries". I understood this comment suggests Princess would like to visit foreign countries where she is particularly interested in but not any countries.
It is hard to believe that comment came from ex-diplomat wife and his daughter. Having said that, Masako herself admitted that she wasn't particularly get on well with American when she was living in Boston. That's the one of the reasons she came back to Japan despite she was offered many high fryer jobs in America. I wonder where she would like to go??? Europe?

And one more thing, Princess wasn't diplomat, she was a staff of the Ministry of foreign affair, and worked at Tokyo office for two years.

Yoshiko, Oxford, UK

It is NOT tabloids but us, the common people who turn against THE CROWN PRINCE AND CROWN PRINCESS.
I was one of many people who heartily congratulated on the wedding of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
But my thoughts changed when I knew the fact that Princess Masako skipped the funeral ceremony for the late Empress Dowager Nagako due to so-called "Something like suffering from the summer heat"and that Prince and Princes have attended Masako's grand dad, Yutaka Egashira, who was the president of Chisso Corporation which caused Minamata disease. Many people have died and still been suffering.
At least, Prince Naruhito should never have attended Egashira's funeral.
I am very much disappointed with the both of them.
They don't seem to have the decency to be the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.
They seem to have ruined what the other Imperial members have acheived.

Sumiko, Sapporo, Japan

Several years ago, Masako said, "it is very painful to get used to the life I don't go to abroad." with giggle smile.
As a Princess, what can she do in overseas? What is the purpose?
She doesn't have any vision. She just wants to travel abroad and treated as a VIP. That's all.
Also, she mentioned long time ago, " I want to care about the kids who are not in a happy situation."
Since then what does she do? Nothing!
She was just dreaming that she would be the center of the world and meet many famous people and treated as a VIP.
If her goal is just travel overseas, get out of palace and make money by herself and do what she wants, then nobody will nag her.

Rana, Tokyo, Japan

Many of those who are against Princess Masako’s recent behaviour are not always anti-imperial family of Japan. Rather, they are generally appreciative of other imperial family members’ commitment and the way that Emperor and Empress are with the Japanese public.

I always feel frustrated to see that the Western media tend to miss (or intentionally distort) the point. People are angry with Masako because neither she was not able to give a birth to a baby boy nor she repeatedly dine out at fancy restaurants. It is simply because she does not understand what being a crown princess means.

For her, getting married to a crown prince was nothing but lavishness with a lot of overseas trips in return for mindless smiling and waving hands to the people whom she never cares about. The word 'noblesse oblige' has never been a part of her vocabulary. How sad if this is the outcome of the top-notch education at Harvard and Oxford, and her glorious career as a promising diplomat.

Junko, Tokyo, Japan

To Tanaka, Japan

Let me add one more thing. I have never heard of the conspiracy to subvert Imperial succession line. It is provided firmly by the Imperial House Law, The Emperor-Crown Prince Naruhito-Prince Akishino-Prince Hisahito.We don't live in a feudal medieval age, so I just can't imagine how you come to hit on such a ridiculous idea.
Princess Masako may have achieved an academic success at foreign pristine university, but she is too narrow-sighted, inflexible and can't adopt herself to new circumstances. She seems to count only negative sides of being a memeber of Imperial Family. It is she, herself or her way of thinking that makes her less happy. She should know that no one can live only by doing he wants to do. But most people are struggling to find their way to maximise their abilities in given situations or in the society, a class they belong to, which also holds true to Imperial Families. She can't recover while she seeks for the cause in others but in herself

Mao, Tokyo, Japan

Masako makes a fool of Japanese and makes a fool of the Emperor and the empress and makes a fool of the classic Imperial Family.
I am weak in English, but have it as comment because I cannot approve of this article at all.
It may be made a fool of me in order to have TheTimes know the truth.
I want you to know it whether Japanese feel Masako ashamed to reporters and readers of The TIMES.
The Japanese cannot criticize the Imperial Family in the country.
And It is a taboo that the Japanese communications criticizes the Imperial Family.
It is Masako and the Crown Prince to be the laziest with the Imperial Family.
I want you to watch how they do not work.
The Emperor and the empress who are their parents work with one's blood and guts for Japan.
I pray for Masako leaving the Imperial Family as soon as possible.
I want you please to ask Japanese except Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Because Masasko's father was Undersecretary foreign affairs.

Ayumi, Hiroshima, Japan

Wow.　It is very interesting to see how other Japanese might think.　In Japan, to talk something critical about the Imperial Family is still kind of the social taboo, so we do not have an opportunity to discuss. I really appreciate the TIMES for providing us such an opportunity for open discussion. Princes Masako may be right. We are old-fashioned. She tries to teach us about it by acting like a spoiled child. I did not realize it was on purpose. Thank you, Princess. That’s enough.

PG, Tokyo, Japan

This comment is to Barbara Hartman, Nutley, N.J., U.S.A.

-Give this poor woman a break, will you?

Masako have already been given a huge break from official duties and for years, she got a sweet deal to do expensive shopping, fancy dinning, several ski trips, vacation at Netherlands, frequent private parties with her family and friends and more, all on our tax money while she performs no work. I heard her trip to Netherlands in 2006 cost over a million dollars. Despite it was not an official trip, she accompanied her private “friend” doctor, securities, servants, hair and dressers, etc. all in first and business class. When she went to Disneyland with Naruhito and her daughter, her sister family and friend family, she kicked out regular visitors from the attractions while they enjoyed it. Poor visitors who happened to be there on the same day paid admissions, but were stopped by the securities because Masako’s group was passing by. What else do you think we could do to help her?

Hannah, Los Angeles, Japan

This comment is to Barbara Hartman, Nutley, N.J., U.S.A.

-This young lady is a bright and talented girl.

How do you know? Have you ever seen her work or publication? Or have you ever seen her showing extensive interest on something and made official presentation?
Many of the Imperial family members are into some fields of study, and made publications which are recognized by many organizations and societies, despite their heavy official duties. As far as I know, there is none of such for Masako, however. She may have an attractive background as a Harvard educated, and a former diplomat, but that does not necessary proves that she is bright and talented individual. She is just a lucky person to have all kinds of connections from her dad to establish such attractive background. That is it. Now she ended up a failure without true talent in herself. She is a proof.

Hannah, Los Angeles, Japan

I do not agree to Tanaka's opinion that majority of Japanese respect crown prince Naruhito family. I think the opinion is devided into two. Those who blindly admire and protect them and those who are concerned about their unreasonable behaiviours as members of Royal Family. Most Japanese are willing to support Princess Masako if the detailed and correct information about her consitions is given to us by the official doctors not by her private dorctor. She has withdrawn from her official duties for as long as 4 years while has been witnessed her happy and full her private life. This confuse us and the treatment given to her seems does not work at all to us. Gradually we are skeptical about her illness. I do not think she lives a high life for her status but have to say she lacks in attention and considerations to people how they feel when she behaves like that. We just want Royal Families that we can respect and be proud of.

Mao, Tokyo, Japan

Let Masako do whatsoever she wants to do! She really does want to travel around the Europe for fun. Her desire to do so is so desperate as to complain about it in public several times! So, let her go! What's the point of forcing her to visit nursing homes or participate in charity events? She doesn't like it and she gives going abroad priority over visiting nusing homes. She cannot help going out for shopping or dinner even if she has jobs to do that day. Don't worry. We have Princess Kiko and Empress Michiko who are self-devoted to charity and busy visiting places hit by natural disaster while Masako, in contrast, left home for a vacation without a word of consolation to people. The fact is we unfortunately have the crown princess who does't know the word "Noblesse oblige". We don't respect her and she cannot make a good, beloved princess forever. That's all.

Haruki, Sapporo, Japan

Tanaka, it may be interesting to make a sensational conspiracy theory to justify your political idea or hatred to a certain prince, but we have to make a fair and verifiable discussion on the facts w/o "Perhaps" "I think". Here people doubts Masako's claim to illness with reasons. Adjustment disorder is an illness the patients of which will recover within 6 months. Since she claims to have been in disorder for 5 years, isn't it natural to be skeptical? To solve this problem, why doesn't Naruhito explain? He only says "Be patient." His cloudy attitude created anger. Tell me the name of illness that she can see Europeans but refuses Asians. I'm not a doctor, but I can give its name: racism.
Well, Mainichi is rather liberal. Sankei is rightwing but keeps silent about her. I often talk about her laziness with my family and friends these days. Is Mainichi, I, my family and friends all the power in your theory? I prefer male-line succession but am nonreligious and against skipping Naruhito.

Michiko Watanabe, Fukuoka, Japan

(3)An overwhelming majority of Japanese people love and respect Masako, Aiko, and the Crown Prince Naruhito. A lot of people see the advertisement of the weekly magazine that conspicuously puts the title of the Masako bashing article inserted to the newspaper every week, and they fret their gizzards.Such common people's feelings are not reflected in media.

Perhaps, the truth is a fight over the next imperial throne. There is power that wants Crown Prince Naruhito to be dragged from the emperor for the next term. The power wants to apply the younger brother Akishinonomiya to the imperial throne. They beat Crown Princess Masako. They think that the Crown Prince's accession to the throne can be obstructed if Masako keeps being seriously ill. They are the power that make Japan lean to the right, such as agnate sects and Shinto shrines. >to be continued(3/5)

Tanaka, Tokyo, Japan

Now they are planning to spend about $6million to remodel their house, even they spent $300,000 to remodel a nursery room when Aiko was born 6 years ago.

-She's been SICK, for God's sake. So what if she has some fun? LET her! She sure as hell ain't havin' much fun being YOUR crown princess.

She is not sick. Don’t you see? She is faking it. May be, she was sick at one time, but it was not that serious. She uses it as an excuse to stay away from heavy loyal duties. She is just a lazy person. Now, what else do you think we could do to make this person happy? We are all hoping that Masako will divorce Prince Naruhito and enjoy her life on her own. Then we don’t care what she eats, buys, or where she goes as far as she pays for it, not us.

Hannah, Los Angeles, Japan

Who is this guy called Leo Lewis? He lives in Tokyo. Ok, Can he speak Japanese? I know so many Enropean people lives in Japan and they can't speak Japanese at all. And their information only comes by English News paper or English web site.
I wonder how people can collect the CORRECT INFORMATION from Japan? How can they understand Japanese people?
Before writing this article, let me talk to him in Japanese.
I can decide he can speak Japanese and understanding level.
Anyway, when Princess Masako married, she was already over 30 years old. Hey she was already adult who can decided what she wanted. Harvard/Oxford educated - if really so, it was her decision to get married to the loyal and she must knew what was waiting for her. This is the westerner way,huh?

Yasuko, London, UK

If it is allowed, I would like to add comments to the second point that Yusuke from Osaka made, the lack of the thoughtfulness. I was personally very disappointed by the remark that Masako made, when she gave birth to her daughter, Aiko. Masako said then in public, “I am happy with my baby, who was born to be physically healthy (without handicaps), while there exist some people that are not”. (to be continued)

Japanerin, Muenchen, Deutschland

Another remark that disappointed me is the one, that was made by her spouse, Crown Prince Naruhito. Naruhito and Masako visited Middle East just 3 days after the outbreak of the Kobe Earthquake in 1995. That visit was planned for many years between Japan and the hosting countries and thus it might be OK for them to travel as planned, even though there were more than 5 thousand people killed in the earthquake and much more, who got injured, lost their family members and/or houses. Due to this catastrophe occurred in Japan, however, Naruhito and Masako had to shorten their sejour in the Middle East to come back to Japan 2 days earlier than originally planned. Later Naruhito made the following remark at the interview. “At that time we had to shorten our stay and thus could not see the Dead Sea.” Apparently the center of their interest was a visit to the Dead Sea rather than Japanese people, who were suffering from the disaster. Unlike their parents they are not prayers for Japanese.

Japanerin, Muenchen, Deutschland

Oh,come on, Barbara! Emperor CANNOT rule a country. It's forbidden by the Constitution. He has been merely a symbol of the country since the end of WWII, and he has no political power. If you don't know anything about Japan or what the emperor is, I think it's not a good idea to write an irresponsible remark. It's not your country and it's not your religion.

Emperor is the top of Shinto religion, not a king, not a president. Rather, Emperor is something more like Pope in western countries. What you are saying is "you japanese people are so outdated! You don't allow a girl to be Pope". It's ok if it's your religion to say so. But Shinto is OUR religion. Not yours. Don't you respect other religions at all??

Saki, Kyoto, England

As a Japanese national, I am saddened by the smear campaign by Japanese media against the Crown Princess in grave distress. It is apparent that her “lavish” outings are necessary steps for her toward her full recovery. And the public in general support her, waiting patiently for her to move on to a better place. But the media and some overzealous Masako-phobes are having a field day whipping up a frenzy of speculation about her private life. What do they want from the poor woman? Keep her under house-arrest, occasional dining out with her family and friends at MacDonald? Get a divorce, leave the country for good? Or drag her out of her “lazy” bed, deprive her of access to a proper treatment, coerce her to perform pubic duties, which is obviously too daunting a task for her to complete at this point. Let’s not forget that she is still in the process of recorvery and needs support and sympathy. I really wish that the media would back off and let her get what she deserves.

Sachi, Houston, U.S.A.

Hey, guys? A comment from the U.S.A. You know, this is cruel. This poor girl can't do anything right. No matter what she does, whatever step she puts forward, she's wrong.

This young lady is a bright and talented girl. She gave up a career as a trained diplomat to marry into a royal family that obviously drove her bananas because they have some outdated and stupid notion that only MEN can rule a country. I thought at one time that Japan was one of the most progressive countries in the world.

But you folks are STILL living in the dark ages. Give this poor woman a break, will you? She's been SICK, for God's sake. So what if she has some fun? LET her! She sure as hell ain't havin' much fun being YOUR crown princess.

And while you are at it, wake up, smell the coffee, and allow her daughter to become the next empress and Masako to be who she really WANTS to be.

Barbara Hartman, Nutley, N.J., U.S.A.

This is wrong, Prince Naruhito had wanted to marry Masako very much.
Naruhito & Msako had met sometimes before they have married. There are at a dinner party of Queen Elena, and at the one of the city of Europe(Colmar) and so on.
By the way, what is the problem about Masako?
That is her behavior as the Imperial family, she do not pray for thousands of Gods of Japanes, that is most impotant ceremony for Royal famiries.
Moreover, she skip many national event, ceremony, to visit a public institution, and so on. In spite of her cost ofl iving depend on the tax we pay.
Who can have respect for her?

Rey, Tokyo, Japan

If they would have no love because of the political marriage,
they should think about their divorce.
I wish she will be divorced and devote herself to treatment and find her true happiness.
Crown prince and princess can be divorced by the Imperial House Act.

No one will oppose her divorce, except for Crown prince Naruhito.

Eko, Saitama, Japan

Prince Naruhito wanted to got married her very much. when she worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . and her father was a diplomat. so, she couldn't deny Prince offer. poor Masako. she can't get freedom forever.

Maco, Yokohama, Japan

As you know, the Japanese Royal Family is all covered with our tax money.
It's simply waste our tax money if she can't work as a Princess and keep doing just for her private stuff.
What's the reason we support her?
She goes to the expensive restaurants with her friends or her parents and sisters. Who is paying this?
How do you feel if there is someone like Masako around you who is not working but eat out with your tax money?
She should be recalled!

Chie, Tokyo, Japan

I’m sorry. I want to correct the last time comment. “a collateral line” is not correct. “the male line” is correct.

momo, Tokyo, Japan

To many Japanese eyes, she is becoming to look like a lazy, snooty person, who would consider herself as smart and special that deserves a luxury life and can’t stand visiting local facilities and ceremonies but foreign countries, particularly Europe for fun. Give me a break.

Josh, Boston, US

She is criticized not just because her having high life, but for years, she has refused to work most of the official duties, due to unspecified illness, not even meeting and saying "thank you" to the volunteers who clean up the royal palace where they live. She refused to visit a nursing home because she does not like to get too close to people. She feel stressed when people in Japan look at her in public, according to officials. Every time she goes out for her pleasures, she accompanies many body guards around her, which costs lots of our tax money, while she performs no work. I have never seen somebody who was grown up in foreign country became so stressed living in other county that she could not function in public, and has to have high and rich private life in order to function. In fact, she was not 100% grown up abroad; she spent many years in Japan when she was young. Pricncess Kiko was grown up in US and Europe much longer than Masako, but she is very well adjusted.(continued

Karen, New York, US

It is obvious that she manipulated to appear in the balcony with other royal families on the New Years day. She appeared for the first three times only and skipped the rest of the four appearances, because only the morning cessions are to be photographed and shown on TV. As a result, what we saw on the media was a seemingly perfect picture of her standing and waving her hand to the people which looked like she was doing her job, but in fact she left right after the morning cessions ended and had New Year’s luncheon with her own family including her daughter Aiko, while all other royal family members stayed all day to attend various new years ceremonies. Does Princess Masako think Japanese people are stupid to believe for years what she and her personal doctor created the name of her illness, “Adjustment disorder”.
And therefore allow such person “NO WORK but MEAL” This is ridiculous and has to stop right away.

Karen, New York, US

The most important royal duty of crown princess of Japan is to bear a male heir and succeed the tradition. The former is not indispensable because the succession of the IH is not a direct line but a collateral line. So any princess can bear a male heir and it is no problem. There were many crown princesses who did not bear male heiress. I can't understand why a Western think it is indispensable for the crown princess to bear a male heir. The latter is indispensable but Masako has not done. She has refused the rituals of Shinto, the religion of the IH. The chief problem is that she can't suceed the tradition.

momo, Tokyo, Japan

Another stereotyped article.
It looks like Leo Lewes just wants to make Japan (the Japanese including Imperial Family) look a grotesque anochronism.
That said, we (the Japanese) are aware that our society, culture, way of thinking are all anachronistic in a sense. We love and enjoy everything anachronistic.
This year we celebrate 1000th anniversary of The Tales of Genji the setting of which is Imperial Family and the aristocracy -- terribly anachronistic!
The most important role of Imperial Family is making Shinto rituals which is the core of our culture. Rituals are rituals and nothing to do with anything visible/tangible.
They might be thought nonsense or ridiculous, if you want to see them so.
Imperial Family is something like jurists' wigs in UK. You can get rid of them if you really want to, but you still retain them because you just don't see any specific reason to discard them hurriedly.

banana, tokyo, japan

<<The general public remains on Masako's side>> -- No. Truth is: the general public have never been on her side. She has never been popular among the general public. Why? She lacks something -- something which is necessary to be loved and respected as Princess.
When Crown Prince's engagement with Ms Masako Owada was announced, most of the Japanese sighed "Oh, what a mismatch....." Until the announcement, she had rejected marriage proposals many times, she even had tried to scatter paparazzis saying in an angry tone "I will NEVER NEVER NEVER marry Crown Prince!" She looked high-handed and even vulgar.
An idea to become a star player of the world diplomacy with the title "Princess" might have suddenly trapped her and made her accept the proposal -- the beginning of the tragedy. What Japanese Princess is required to do is to become a loyal conveyor of the tradition and not to become a super star.

banana, tokyo, japan

From the very beginning of her marriage, I had the impression that Masako was not interested in philanthropy nor domestic public functions because she looked so bored to death during these duties. Some people say it's not Masako's fault to look bored or fall into sleep during ceremonies because she deserves more complicated, diplomatic jobs like visiting foreign countries. Masako herself is eager to visit foreign countries. It's natural for her as a former diplomat to want to take a role in further strengthening good friendly relationship with other countries. However, I think she is putting the cart before the horse. As long as she thinks it’s boring to visit philanthropy facilities, and she cannot even hide her reluctance to visit these facilities, I think it would be hard for her to work as she wish. Besides, I wonder how she can manage to work for international relationship if she cannot get along with people surrounding her, including her parents in law and the public general.

Akiko, Osaka, Japan

I think that hopes were high for her to be a Lady Di to breathe some cosmopolitan views. The Imperial Household Agency has been anything but that. Look at her clothes, for crying out loud. They say mid-fifties bureaucrat all over.

Masako didn't fail to produce an heir. She just happens to be female.

I spent 10 years in Japan and love the place and the people, but I've never been able to appreciate the stilted Imperial Household Agency and the family whose lives it controls. It certainly isn't the other way around.

Jon Warren, SF, CA, USA

Marrying a prince was not necessarily her own free choice. Even at the time of the wedding there were rumours that her father's career was threatened if Masako refused to marry Naruhito. I can't imagine how they're ever going to find a wife for Hisahito.

Maria, Boston, USA

I am very sorry to hear your long suffering depression. Ellis.
However, Princess Masako is not suffering clinical depression.
She was never diagnosed as "clinical depression" and this has been denied officially again and again over the year.
I wish that one of the doctor who has world authority on psychiatry in western countries come to examine and treat Princess Masako. We are not particularly cold hearted, small minded, cruel old fashioned nation as some might think. We will understand and willing to support her if there is proper explanation about her condition. It is very difficult where the line between bashing and reporting the truth. Having said that , most of the Japanese Media hasn't criticise Princess rarely. If there is someone who can read Japanese, please try it. You will be surprise how sympathetic to Princess.
They are almost sounds like "Japan and nation have to change the law and culture even tradition for Harvard graduated poor princess to cure her illness.

Mai Mai, London, UK

His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress in Japan always express that the Imperial House hopes to be the prayer for people and show their sincere sympathy to those suffered from disasters or deseases. And their private lives are so simple and restrained compared to those of the Western Royal Families. Therefore we, Japanese, respect them as a symbol of the nation. The present Crown Prince and Princess are opposite to their parents. Many people have begun to feel from recent mas media that their concerns are not people but their pleasures. We unfortunately have unrespectable couple as the Crown Prince and Princess at present, but the situation has to be reformed.

Japanese woman, Leeds, England

I have suffered from clinical depression for almost 40 years and it has clouded almost every aspect of my life and almost all of my personal relationships. How many doctors, how many different medications, how many different types of therapies....I have long since lost track.

I'm not sure depression can be explained, but it would help if the condition had a better name. It is much more than what the public understands as "depression."

I don't know much about Princess Masako, but I pity her. At least I have not had to suffer on the world stage.

Ellis, GA, USA

Carol Ellis, Bartow, GA

“A Harvard-educated, former diplomat tortured by Japan’s old-fashioned bureaucracy and lack of understanding about mental disorder”. Westerners seem really love this type of sensational stereotyped stories. Despite foreign media’s misunderstanding, we are NOT AT ALL blaming her of not producing an heir. Also, we are NOT blaming her of going out for dinner. We are asking her to explain her behavior full of contradictions BY HERSELF, not by her mysterious “medical team” hidden in a veil. As there is a tacit understanding that it’s taboo to criticize Imperial family, we cannot say this loud in public, but to the truth, the general public is skeptical about her “illness” now. Besides, it’s getting more difficult to respect her as Crown Princess. Why? First, from the moment she got married, she has been refusing to take part in religious ceremonies, one of the most important duties as a princess. Secondly, her comments are lack of consideration of the feelings of the socially vulnerable. Thirdly, she does not respect Japanese culture at all, and she respects Western ones only. Lastly, she is always complaining about something or blaming somebody for her unhappy situation. Especially, she complained several times about her being not allowed to go abroad as many times as she wish. Maybe, she was dreaming of a celebrity’s life full with luxurious trips to Europe as a Jet-setter like Paris Hilton. How can we respect such a princess who is always denying our culture?

Yusuke, Osaka, Japan

OK. Let me clear one thing.
She was NEVER diagnosed as "clinical depression "by real doctors.

Then, she denied seeing imperial hospital doctors and now her sister's friend "health center doctor" is her only doctor. He has not announced that she is depressed either.
We are not angry with her, just very disappointed with her because she - "supposed to be a very well educated and talented woman" turns out to be a spoiled "banana" who adores only Western cultures and never respect her own ones. She does not want to work as a representative of the Red Cross, which all crown princesses have devoted to work. She also refused to take part in any religious traditions in the imperial family. The imperial family in Japan is the oldest family and should be our religious top person, which she should have known before the marriage.
We are disappointed with her because she keeps ignoring the precious tradition that we have respected.

PG, Tokyo, Japan

Apart from the fact that her educational record and initial professional career has apparently been built under the influence of her father, who was the top official of Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (with a rather skewed employment system) and had a professor/fellowship seat at Harvard and Oxford, it is a real pity that "that elite lady of Japan" didn't have the basic and common knowledge of the Royal Household's primary duty- to keep ceremonial functions, not to take any politial or diplomatic functions since the end of WWII.

Brianna, Tokyo, Japan

It is ok to dine out for her "treatment" or not to attend public duties due to her "illness", although her illness has never been officially diagnosed because she does not allow official medical team to see her but only her private doctor who has never made official comment to the public.
However, I do wonder:
why she, as a member of the Royal family, could go out for fun on the war-end anniversary .
why she could go out for dinner at a posh restaurant on the same day she cancelled a ceremony held by the emperor - she could stay home if she was too unwell to attend the ceremony.
why she could drop at a pub by changing the schedule during her official trip, then couldn’t attend scheduled ceremony on the following day saying she was too tired - she could rest in the hotel instead of impulsively staying at the pub if she realised "tired".
All of those examples show she is lacking of self-awareness as a member of Royal family and of her duties, which is NOT acceptable at all.

Kyoko, Sydney,

Those who criticize Princess Masako are hypocritical and enjoy the sage in which a modern female achiever was defeated by the constraint of an outdated system. They feel better about their own difficulties or less privileged status by seeing how miserable she is/was. That's why they don't "allow" her to enjoy herself!

Y.C. , Taipei , Taiwan

Naive and ignorant point of view

Why do Westerners, including this writer, want to regard everything about Japan old fashioned? (because it's easy.)
Japanese people never accused Princess Masako of not giving birth to a boy!! (God, how could you twist it around like that.)
People are confused because she refuse to do official duties but she suddenly becomes happy when she goes abroad (mainly Europe)
She's depressed because her life as a Princess was not something she'd expected. She wanted something flashy and married a prince who was deeply in love with her. Instead, she got a life of patience and self sacrifice. I mean, she could lead the life she wanted if she DIDN'T get married to a prince. It was her choice. Well, in Japan, a princess is expected to act like a princess, not a common woman. Her illness is different from that of Mr Abe, former Prime Minister, who was crushed from too much responsibility. Pri Masako was crushed from too much "Can't do this and that."

Sara, Kyoto, Japan

It seems lots of Westeners believe Masako is a poor victim of the old-fashioned custom just because she is Harvard-educated and Japan is too old-fashioned.
Everytime I read this kind of comment from Westerners, I am reallyl disappointed. It's too superficial. The point is not her education, but her strange behavior and her mysterious illness. She has been "ill" for years and skip official duties, but her private life is very energetic. Lots of expensive shopping, lavish dinners, Disney Land, trip to Netherland, skiing, horse riding, etc on taxpayer's money. Whey does she go shopping or dinner or driving on the same day she skipped the official duties usign her illness as excuse evertime? Why does she and her husband accuse other people including japanese citizens as the cause of her illness? Why does she always claim she wants to officially visit foreign countries when she says NO to visiting domestic nursing homes? If this is the Harvard style, I never understand Harvard.

Japanese citizen, london, England