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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Japan Princess Has Media Aflutter

The first clue was the low heels that Crown Princess Masako wore to the National Bonsai Exhibition in February. Then she caught a cold, or so the Imperial Household Agency announced.

That did it.

To Japan’s tabloid press, the combination was a sure-fire sign of the joyous news all Japan had been waiting for: After nearly four years of marriage to Crown Prince and future Emperor Naruhito, Masako was pregnant!

“A Coming Stork X-Day!” trumpeted the Weekly Woman magazine, despite vehement denials. But the Royal Pregnancy Watch is just the latest frenzy that has plagued Masako, 33.

Why hasn’t she had a child? What’s causing her skin rash? Is she miserable? Why has she dropped from view?

The ponderings reached such a roar that last year the crown couple appealed for restraint. “A stork needs a quiet environment,” Naruhito said.