This is Bill Tsutsui with another Postcard from Asia from the Center for East Asian Studies.

Here in Tokyo, the members of the Imperial Household Agency are in an uproar over the publication of a new book about Princess Masako. It seems the book paints an unflattering picture of life in the Japanese Imperial compound. Rules and regulations are so strict that both Masako and her mother-in-law the Empress are reputedly suffering from stress-related illnesses. Of course, when it comes to being scrutinized, the Japanese Imperial family is at the top of the royal heap. To give you an idea of what we mean, it was only last year that they phased out the job of royal stool examiner…and we don’t mean something you sit on.

With thanks to Randi Hacker for this text, from the Center for East Asian Studies, I’m Bill Tsutsui. Wish you were here.