Crown Princess Masako on the occasion of her 52nd birthday on Wednesday looked back on this year, which marked the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, calling it "an important year to think about the preciousness of peace."
"Taking care of my health, I have tried to fulfill my public and private duties as much as possible this year," the Crown Princess, who has been receiving treatment for a stress-induced illness for 12 years, said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency.
"With the help of people around me, I would like to continue making efforts to recover."