It is nearly four years since the former Masako Owada became engaged to Naruhito, heir to Japan's throne. Sunday's press conference was the first time she has spoken to reporters without the prince at her side. Before marriage, Masako was a trade specialist at the Foreign Ministry. She appears in public now almost entirely for ceremonial occasions and rarely speaks on any subject. Reports in foreign media have questioned why she has been so reticent about speaking in public or engaging in any activity beyond purely ceremonial appearances.
Japan has very few career women.
Many quit their jobs after marriage, and those who work generally have clerical or menial jobs. Wives of prominent men are expected to stay home and take care of their children. Masako is not the first crown princess to find it difficult to adapt to the imperial family. The current empress, Michiko, is known to have suffered greatly during her early years as crown princess in the 1960s from sniping by the palace old guard. Michiko was the first commoner to marry into the imperial family.