[…] The couple will attend the April 30 coronation of Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange, as he ascends to the Dutch throne. The significant trip began with a simple phone call. "The caller was Princess Maxima, the wife of Willem-Alexander, who will soon become the new king," said a source in the Imperial Household Agency. "Maxima asked Masako to attend the investiture ceremony on April 30."
The last time Masako went abroad was for a two-week private trip to the Netherlands in August 2006, with Naruhito, and their daughter, Princess Aiko. They were invited by Queen Beatrix and spent two weeks at a retreat in Apeldoorn, in part to provide a rest for Masako. The Imperial Household Agency source said Masako was very grateful for that break. [...]
In May 2004, Naruhito stirred controversy when he said there were "developments that denied Princess Masako's career ... as well as her personality driven by her career." His comments led to public speculation about a gap emerging between Naruhito and Masako, on the one hand, and officials of the Imperial Household Agency, and even Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, on the other.
"Because Masako grew up abroad, graduated from Harvard University and worked as a career diplomat, it is only to be expected that she would clearly voice her opinions," said an acquaintance who has known Masako since she studied overseas. "Moreover, she was always a free-spirited and vigorous individual. I felt from the very beginning that it would be very difficult for her to enter such a closed world as the imperial household."
A source in the crown prince's household added, "After her marriage, Masako became deeply concerned about the atmosphere in the imperial household, which placed priority on suppressing one's individuality and bearing an heir. Differences arose with the emperor and empress, who were concerned about the future of the imperial family, as well as high-ranking officials of the Imperial Household Agency." [...]
RETREAT TO GET AWAY
The crown prince's family spends every summer at the Nasu Imperial Villa in Tochigi Prefecture. "At dusk, Masako would go for daily walks by herself, without even an attendant," according to a person at the villa. "While there are many paths within the villa grounds, the grass is tall in some areas, but she would still walk through such trails. That may have been an expression of her desire to get away from everyone."
A major turning point for Masako was the 2006 trip to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is a special place for Masako because it is where her parents currently reside. Her father, Hisashi Owada, is currently a justice of the International Court of Justice at The Hague. He previously served as vice foreign minister, the highest bureaucratic post in the Foreign Ministry.
The crown prince's family also shares "family problems" with the Dutch royal house, arising from the special world both live in. […] That background was likely a major reason why the Dutch royal family extended a helping hand when Masako faced her own emotional crisis.
"In the year after the retreat in the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander visited Japan and had dinner at the Imperial Palace with the emperor and empress," said Katsumi Iwai, a former senior staff writer at The Asahi Shimbun who covered the imperial family for many years. "At that time, he said, 'During the retreat, I was surprised at the large difference in Masako between when she was bright and happy and when she felt down.' He added, 'If there is anything I can do to help, do not hesitate to ask.' " [...]
TIME FOR A DECISION
[…] "There were a number of times when the issue of Masako's official overseas trip came up, but in each case, the conclusion was reached at an early stage that it would be difficult," a Foreign Ministry official said. "However, the Netherlands is special, so there was speculation that she might be able to go. In the end, a formal reply was held off until the very last minute." An informal inquiry about an invitation was made through diplomatic channels at the beginning of March. Although a request had been made for a response by early March, no decision was reached by that time.
An acquaintance of the Owada family said, "The Owadas returned to Japan in late March and stayed for about 10 days. However, they apparently did not meet with Masako. They only said, 'Diplomatic decisions are made in a realm beyond our reach. There is not much that we can say.' " A formal invitation arrived on April 1, but still no decision had been made.
Frustrated at the lack of a decision, Noriyuki Kazaoka, grand steward of the Imperial Household Agency, said on April 11, "The deadline for responding to the Netherlands has been greatly exceeded, so there is a need to make a decision as soon as possible." However, a source at the crown prince's household said, "Masako became more glum as a result of that comment." […]
A spring garden party hosted by the emperor and empress was held on April 18 at the Akasaka Imperial Gardens immediately after the decision was made on the Netherlands trip. Masako did not attend that gathering. A former Imperial Household Agency official said, "Masako feels a very heavy burden when she has to attend an event where she will be seen by many people, as well as Shinto ceremonies. When imperial family members go abroad, even for private trips, they go to the imperial palace to conduct religious rituals. However, this time, only Naruhito will go. While there may arise criticism over such a situation, one reason that Masako likely decided to go to the Netherlands is Aiko's growth."
Masako had been worried for many years about Aiko's difficulties in attending school. However, that problem has all but been resolved. An event was held on April 14 at Gakushuin University where Naruhito and Masako seemed to be very pleased at how much Aiko had grown. One participant said, "From her second-floor seat, Masako gazed at Aiko through binoculars, and she would smile and whisper something to Naruhito. Masako seemed to be doing very well. When Naruhito and Aiko performed on their musical instruments together for the first time in a large ensemble, Masako leaned forward in her seat to watch, and she happily clapped her hands in rhythm with the music." [...] Aiko gradually returned to a more normal school life after she joined the school orchestra. That brought relief to her parents. [...]
Oh yes, I agree!
I believe that this is a marriage that truly "works" in spite of all the pressures against it. As much as I hope for healing for CP Masako, I also hope that the example of this couple working through things together will help against the stigma of mental illness in Japan.
