WASHINGTON — An invitation to the upcoming nuptials of Prince William to Kate Middleton next April should be making its way to Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako soon. The odds of Princess Masako actually attending the much-anticipated wedding are stacked against her, given that the princess has made no official overseas trips in years.
Indeed, the public has been led to believe that her state of mind remains so fragile that even short public appearances near the palace grounds can prove too arduous for the princess, let alone traveling halfway across the globe.
Yet the Imperial Household Agency should seriously consider allowing Princess Masako to attend the London wedding since it would be in Japan's best national interest. An invitation to the event is a diplomatic opportunity unto itself, and a chance for Japan to showcase its own history and the relevance of its heritage in modern society.