Japan's Empress Michiko should reduce her royal duties for the sake of her health.
The Imperial Household Agency has said that the empress and her husband Emperor Akihito should be allowed to cut down on their official engagements. The decision comes after it was revealed that Michiko was suffering from symptoms linked to psychological stress.
Agency head Singo Haketa said the agency will endeavor to take better care of the royal couple in the future and manage their schedules more carefully.
Michiko, 72, was taken ill with a cold on February 19 and has since exhibited stress-induced symptoms, including intestinal bleeding, nose bleeds and mouth ulcers.
The royal attended a flower exhibition on Thursday, two days after the announcement regarding her illness, and even though it was believed she would take a short five-day break to recover.
The empress' daughter-in-law, Princess Masako, also suffers from a stress-induced illness.
The princess - who was a diplomat before her marriage to Prince Naruhito in 1993 - has withdrawn from practically all public duties, owing to her health problems. Some have blamed her illness on pressure to deliver a male heir.
Masako and Naruhito have one child, 5-year-old Princess Aiko, but under the current succession law only males can inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne.
