In a sense, Crown Prince Naruhito at 48-year-old birthday press conference didn't disappoint me.
He had the nerve to say that he would expect some people around Their Imperial Majesties to rethink about their hard schedules when asked about the Emperor's health. Contrary to his brother Prince Akishino's last year's comment. Prince Akishino himself checked and pointed out the exact number of the Emperor's duties performed and he(he actually said "We") would like to support his parents.
He looked so proud when he told the press that he had jogged 100 kilometers last month. Is he bragging about having lots of free time while his parents and other royal members are busy dealing with their daily duites?
I personaly pay homage to the Imperial Families for what they have performed for us on many occasions. But I sense neither dignity nor class or the tradition of Japan from those two people, the Crown Prince and Princess. From what I saw on TV, they came on merely as a codependent couple.

Sumiko, Sapporo, Japan

I mean no disrespect but I think we should all live one day in their lives before we form an opinion. As for the Crown Princess, she can't have an easy job. Didn't the present Empress have a breakdown?

Like I said, I mean no disrespect, but they are such a private family how can anyone really know what is going on behind those palace wall.

Sherry, Jacksonville, Fl/USA

Is it just me or does the Crown Prince come across as not very bright? The impression I get is that he is blissfully unaware of the discontent among the public regarding his wife. I hope he noticed the fact that the IHA did not block the negative publicity of his wife by the media This was unheard of years ago. Back then, media did not bad-mouth the imperial family. If Masako can't handle being a crown princess, she should just "shape up or ship out", and not waste any more of public's money. And if the crown prince insists on "enabling" his wife so that she could do as she pleases and shirk her official duties, he should do what King Edward VIII of GB did ; give up his title, live as a private citizen, & let his brother become the next emperor. In my opinion, the crown prince is conveniently forgetting the meaning of " noblesse oblige".

Magix, Vancouver, Canada

I have no respect for prince Naruhito. He was asked to visit his parents many times but he did nothing. At his birthday press conference, he said "THEY should think about the Emperor's schedule for his health." Why can't he say "I" or at least "WE"? He basically doesn't want to help his old weakened parents at all. People are so disappointed with his statements. Still there is no explanations of Masako's mysterious illness. He says he will support her firmly. The thing is, Emperor doesn't merely mean that he wants to see his granddaughter more often, but he wants to see his son to hand down numerous traditional things for the next generation. However obviously Naruhito doesn't want to see his parents for some reason, and refused to explain the reason because of privacy. Look at his schedule, he is taking days off 5 days in a week. I don't want Naruhito to be the next emperor anymore, he should look after only his wife and daughter as a commoner. The chiding was the last chance for him.

ayano, Tokyo, Japan

A man suffering depression, who can't do his job, can't traveling, can't skiing every day, and can't go shopping and dining daily, as I know from my experience.

Rather it is a typical symptom of adjustment disorder that she can do what she wants to do and she can't do what she does not want to do on the same day, like a school boy can't go to school. If not so, it is a typical personality of willfulness or she is unsuited for the job.

momo, Tokyo, Japan