Japan's crown princess vows efforts as her succession to empress looms

Crown Princess Masako, who has been long struggling with depression, vowed on the occasion of her 54th birthday Saturday continued effort to fulfill her duties as she is now set to become Japan's empress in May 2019."When I think about the future, I feel a sobering sense of awe," the crown princess said in a prepared statement, referring to the previous day's Cabinet decision setting April 30, 2019 as day Emperor Akihito will relinquish the Chrysanthemum throne.The following day his elder son Crown Prince Naruhito will become the emperor, and Crown Princess Masako will become empress of Jap…READ FULL ARTICLE