In an unprecedented public feud within Japan's royal family, the crown prince has come under fire from his brother for making public criticism of the imperial household's treatment of the crown princess. Crown Prince Naruhito told an unusually open news conference in May that his wife Masako, who gave up a promising diplomatic career to become crown princess, had exhausted herself trying to adapt to the royal household.
But Prince Akishino, the second son of Emperor Akihito, used his 39th birthday Tuesday to criticise his brother's candor.
"I myself was surprised to no small extent, and I heard the emperor was also very surprised" by the crown prince's remarks, Prince Akishino said in a news conference broadcast Tuesday.
"I think he should have only spoken after talking to the emperor about what he planned to say," he said. "I think it is regrettable."
Crown Princess Masako, who turns 41 on December 9, has suspended all public duties for the past year due to stress as she remains under intense pressure to produce a male heir to the world's oldest-running monarchy.
Masako gave birth to a daughter, Aiko, in 2001, but has not had a son in more than 11 years of marriage. Females cannot ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, although the government is mulling changing the rules of succession.
The crown prince, in his May press conference which was called ahead of a European tour, sparked controversy and public sympathy by talking openly of his wife's difficulties entering the rigid royal world.
"It is true that there were developments that denied Princess Masako's career up to then as well as her personality driven by her career," he had said. Three months earlier, the crown prince also made headlines by saying there was a need to review royal duties as the world changed.
Those remarks also triggered a rebuke Tuesday from his younger brother. "I am not sure whether what I want to do should be the same as what my public duties should be," Prince Akishino said.
Prince Akishino, the Oxford-educated father of two daughters, has rarely been outspoken in the past and is most associated with his outdoor hobbies, such as catching catfish and playing tennis.
Toshiaki Kawahara, a veteran journalist on royal matters who has watched the palace for decades, said Prince Akishino's public criticism was extremely unusual.
"I cannot recall examples of criticism within the royal family after the war," Kawahara said, referring to World War II, which marked the start of a ceremonial role for the emperor. "I was surprised especially because the younger brother criticised the elder brother at a press conference," he said.