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Crown Prince Naruhito turned 46 on Thursday and held a news conference to mark his birthday, saying that Crown Princess Masako was recovering from her illness steadily.
In the news conference the crown prince expressed hope for Crown Princess Masako's future activities, saying he thought it would be good if she could find something to do using her past experience.
"Masako is making efforts in compliance with the course of treatment provided by doctors. I also plan to continue to support her," Crown Prince Naruhito said.
The crown prince said that their 4-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, had come to show consideration for those around her. When Crown Princess Masako was down with a cold on the evening of her birthday, he said Princess Aiko had brought a birthday cake into her bedroom.
He added that Princess Aiko had taken an interest in sumo, and enjoyed playing around in sumo bouts with her parents. When asked how good Princess Aiko was at remembering the names of the sumo wrestlers, he said, "Frankly, I can't match her."
The crown prince said he was happy to hear of signs that Princess Kiko, the wife of his brother, Prince Akishino, was pregnant.
"For us it's a very happy occasion." He said that when Prince Akishino had contacted him by telephone, he had told him, "That's great. Take care."
When questioned about the issue of allowing females and their descendants to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne, he said he had various thoughts as a parent, but did not want to make further comments.
Mentioning his younger sister, Sayako Kuroda, he said he felt a "tinge of loneliness" when she got married and relinquished her imperial title in November 2005, leaving the Imperial Household, but added that he was pleased as her older brother to see that she was happy.
In the news conference the crown prince expressed hope for Crown Princess Masako's future activities, saying he thought it would be good if she could find something to do using her past experience.
"Masako is making efforts in compliance with the course of treatment provided by doctors. I also plan to continue to support her," Crown Prince Naruhito said.
The crown prince said that their 4-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko, had come to show consideration for those around her. When Crown Princess Masako was down with a cold on the evening of her birthday, he said Princess Aiko had brought a birthday cake into her bedroom.
He added that Princess Aiko had taken an interest in sumo, and enjoyed playing around in sumo bouts with her parents. When asked how good Princess Aiko was at remembering the names of the sumo wrestlers, he said, "Frankly, I can't match her."
The crown prince said he was happy to hear of signs that Princess Kiko, the wife of his brother, Prince Akishino, was pregnant.
"For us it's a very happy occasion." He said that when Prince Akishino had contacted him by telephone, he had told him, "That's great. Take care."
When questioned about the issue of allowing females and their descendants to ascend to the Chrysanthemum Throne, he said he had various thoughts as a parent, but did not want to make further comments.
Mentioning his younger sister, Sayako Kuroda, he said he felt a "tinge of loneliness" when she got married and relinquished her imperial title in November 2005, leaving the Imperial Household, but added that he was pleased as her older brother to see that she was happy.
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