Reportedly there had been problems for some time.
While many of us started the new year with fresh courage and good intentions, things are very different for the Imperial Family of Japan. In addition to a series of earthquakes with disastrous consequences in the north of their country, the imperial court has now also released a worrying report about Princess Kiko, the wife of Crown Prince Fumihito.
Rough start
Toasting with luxurious champagne, festive speeches, New Year’s banquets, and so on: it’s all part of a royal New Year. In Japan, however, celebrations were quickly canceled after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Isihikawa region. This caused extensive damage and dozens of deaths, and a few days later there was a tragic plane crash that killed five members of the Japanese coast guard who were on their way to the disaster area.
In short: not exactly a cheerful start to the new year.
Mysterious disease
But it has now emerged that there are also serious problems within the imperial family. For example, Princess Kiko, the wife of Emperor Naruhito’s younger brother, is said to be suffering from a mysterious illness.
Although she was present at an event to celebrate New Year’s Eve last week, she was absent from some of the ceremonies surrounding the commemoration of Emperor Showa this weekend. In addition, the princess was not present at a sign language conference, and eldest daughter Kako had to make an appearance on her own. Since the future empress herself is a gifted and committed sign language interpreter, this caused serious concerns about her health.
Statement
In an official message, the Japanese court announced that the princess is suffering from ‘problems with the gastrointestinal tract’. The Daily Mail even claims that it is reported that the Highness no longer eats normal meals, but we take this with a grain of salt (given the lack of official confirmation).
The Imperial Court does report that it is in any case not a serious corona infection or the flu. This would already have been ruled out through testing, and the medical team around the imperial family is now conducting even more tests to diagnose and resolve the problems.
In addition, things have not been going well for the princess for some time. For example, the palace announced that she already suffered from various problems at the end of last year, and that her appearance at the New Year’s events only happened with the approval of her doctors.
For the time being, the princess has been advised to rest, and more tests are being carried out in the meantime. Hopefully the Crown Princess will be back to her old self soon!
Source: Royal Central, The Daily Mail, Nippon.com | Image: NL Image
