Crown prince turns 44, hopes for peace in Iraq

Japan Policy & Politics, March 1, 2004

TOKYO, Feb. 23 Kyodo

Crown Prince Naruhito turned 44 Monday and expressed hope that peace in still-struggling Iraq will be realized as soon as possible.

''The situation in Iraq has been in disarray,'' he told the press club at the Imperial Household Agency prior to the birthday. ''I am praying from the bottom of my heart peace will prevail as soon as possible.''

He expressed sorrow about the deaths of Iraqis and people from other countries engaged in the reconstruction of Iraq, including two Japanese diplomats -- Katsuhiko Oku and Masamori Inoue -- killed in an ambush in northern Iraq last November.

''I hope Self-Defense Forces members taking part in Iraq reconstruction support activities will, despite the tough situation, take good care of themselves and carry out work that will be beneficial to the Iraqi people,'' he said.

Members of Japan's ground, maritime and air forces are on a mission to help in the reconstruction.

The prince said issues pertaining to North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals will be resolved in a ''good way.''

He also expressed hope for solutions to such problems as mad cow disease, SARS and bird flu.

Asked about his wife, Princess Masako, 40, who has been off from official duty since last December, the prince said she has become tired due to hard official work and child rearing, as well as from ''major pressure'' to give birth to a boy.

The couple has one child, Princess Aiko. The imperial household law allows only male heirs to succeed to the throne.

''I hope she will rest and relax for the time being,'' the prince said.

He said that the crown princess may take some more time before returning to official duty.

As for Princess Aiko, 2, she has grown quite healthily and is full of energy, he said.

The question for now is how to create as many opportunities as possible for Princess Aiko to associate with other children and have ordinary childhood experiences such as going shopping with her parents, he said.

Princess Aiko was born Dec. 1, 2001, eight and a half years after the crown prince and princess were married.