Japanese Crown Princess Masako waves as she enters the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to attend an event celebrating Emperor Akihito’s 85th birthday on December 23, 2018. Photo: Kyodo

Japan’s new empress is back in the spotlight as her husband prepares to ascend to the throne

For the past 15 years, Crown Princess Masako has been battling a stress-related illness and often shied away from public engagements

Topic | Japan

Julian Ryall

Published: 6:00pm, 30 Dec, 2018

Updated: 8:25pm, 30 Dec, 2018

Japanese Crown Princess Masako waves as she enters the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to attend an event celebrating Emperor Akihito’s 85th birthday on December 23, 2018. Photo: Kyodo

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Julian Ryall

Julian Ryall never expected to still be in Japan 24 years after he first arrived, but he quickly realised its advantages over his native London. He lives in Yokohama with his wife and children and writes for publications around the world.