It's not easy being a woman in the Imperial family.
Four years after Crown Princess Masako dropped most of her official duties to recover from what officials say is a form of depression brought about by the pressures of adjusting to life in the palace, Empress Michiko is now suffering from a wide array of symptoms stemming from severe stress.
Officials announced last week that the Empress, 72, has canceled her schedule for the time being to recover from intestinal bleeding, nose bleeds and mouth ulcers. She has been feeling ill since catching a cold last month, the Imperial household said.