Eyes on Crown Prince­ss Masako in role as empres­sTOKYO: Japan’s Oxford-educated crown prince, Naruhito, looks set to bring a more global outlook to the ancient imperial institution while carrying on Emperor Akihito’s legacy of promoting peace and reconciliation with Asia when he ascends the throne in 2019. He said in August 2016 that he feared age would make it hard to fulfil his duties. Naruhito, 57, is an advocate for environmental causes, and has taken part in international conferences on clean water. “Certainly, on environmental issues, he’s very passionate,” said Shihoko Goto, a senior associate for Northeast Asia at the Washington-based Wilson Center. Japan’s Emperor Akihito to abdicate on April 30, 2019Masako’s daughter, 16-year-old Aiko, cannot inherit the males-only throne.

Source: The Express Tribune December 08, 2017 06:33 UTC