Japan Crown Prince Wants to Present “Silver Medal” to Princess

June 10, 2018

Tokyo- Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito has said he wants to present a "silver medal" to Crown Princess Masako to express his appreciation for her support over 25 years of marriage.

"While facing difficulties, she continues various efforts and supports me and Aiko, our daughter, and I am very thankful for that," the Crown Prince said in written answers to questions from reporters on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary on Saturday.

"In addition to the 'effort prize' and 'gratitude prize' I gave her on our 10th wedding anniversary, I want to present a silver medal this time," the Crown Prince said.

The Crown Princess said, "I would like to tender my cordial thanks to the Crown Prince as he has always been kind and helped me since I fell ill." She receives treatment for stress-related illness.

On a question about what score should be given to the Crown Prince, she said she may present a letter of gratitude as Empress Michiko did to Emperor Akihito on the occasion of their silver wedding anniversary.

The Crown Prince, 58, and Princess, 54, are set to become the new emperor and empress in May next year.

The Crown Prince said he believes it is important to fulfill the role of "symbol of the state" as stipulated in the country's constitution while maintaining the long tradition of the Imperial Family.

He also said it is important to consider how to respond to social change in performing his duties.

The Crown Princess said she will continue to think about people in disaster areas, such as the northeastern Japan region hit by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, this was the first time for the Crown Princess to reply to questions from the press since she started receiving medical treatment in December 2003. Jiji Press