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TOKYO (AP) β Japanese Empress Masako, still recovering from stress-induced mental health issues, said Monday she was happy to have completed her duties as part of Emperor Naruhito's enthronement rituals and pledged to keep up the work and help her husband more for the happiness of the people.
In a palace statement marking her 56th birthday, Masako thanked people who have warmly welcomed the couple after Naruhito succeeded to the throne on May 1, following his father's abdication. βMany smiley faces I've seen in many places are precious memories for me and they will be my big moral support as I move forward," the statement said.
A Harvard-educated former diplomat, Masako had been largely absent from public appearances for years. She developed adjustment disorder, a condition marked by depression and other stress-induced symptoms, after giving birth to the couple's only child, Princess Aiko, and facing pressure to have a son to continue Japan's male-only imperial succession.
Naruhitoβs succession rituals spanned from late April to early December, and Masako was seen smiling and seemed healthy at her public appearances. Her her doctors welcomed her accomplishment as a positive sign, but cautioned the people against raising their expectations too high, saying that could interfere with her recovery.
Masako's long absence from imperial events and trips had raised concern that she could do even part of the work done by hugely popular former Empress Michiko.
But she accompanied Naruhito at all events, including his first public greeting as emperor when some 140,000 people gathered. She sat next to Naruhito in an open car during a royal parade in November, enthusiastically waving to 119,000 well-wishers on the roadside, and she was seen overwhelmed with emotion and wiping tears with a handkerchief.
Masako thanked Naruhito for his consideration and support for her and said that she hoped to further improve her health so she can give him more support.
βI hope to fulfill my duty as Empress, while trying to further improve my health so that I can help His Majesty and work for the peopleβs happiness, together with him,β the statement released by the Imperial Household Agency said.
Her doctors said Masako has been able to expand her activities and regained confidence little by little as she constantly sought ways
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