TOKYO, Japan — Japan's Crown Princess Masako on Sunday pledged to do her best despite feeling 'insecure' about becoming empress in mere months, in a candid statement released on her 55th birthday. Emperor Akihito will step down on April 30, 2019 -- the first abdication in the Japanese imperial family in more than two centuries. "Even though I feel insecure about how helpful I will be when I think about the days ahead... I want to devote myself to the happiness of the people so I will make an effort to that end," said the crown princess. In her birthday statement, Masako revealed she was recuperating from a stress-induced illness ahead of the imperial succession.

Source: Philippine Star December 10, 2018 06:00 UTC