雅子さま関連質問

(Mainichi Japan) September 12, 2008
A widening gap between the Imperial Family and the public
記者の目：雅子さま関連質問に配慮求める医師団

On Jan. 24 in this column I wrote that "the failure of the Imperial Household Agency to comment on Crown Princess Masako makes it responsible" for the bashing by some media outlets of the Crown Princess, who is currently undergoing treatment for an adjustment disorder.
私は１月２４日のこの欄で、適応障害による療養を続ける皇太子妃雅子さまへの一部メディアによるバッシングについて「展望を語らない宮内庁に責任がある」と書いた。

The Imperial Household Agency still has not held a press conference with the doctor in charge of the Crown Princess's treatment. Instead, at the end of July the Imperial Household Agency issued a statement by the medical team responsible for the Crown Prince and his family that asked for "consideration" regarding what was being asked. This request was prompted by questions asked by the press corps covering the Imperial Household during two separate press conferences held before the Crown Prince's solo overseas tours, questions on the process that led to the decision for Princess Masako not to accompany the Crown Prince.
宮内庁は、今も主治医の会見を開いていない。それどころか、今年２度あった皇太子さま単独での外国訪問前の記者会見で、雅子さま同行断念の経過などを宮内記者会が尋ねたところ、質問内容への配慮を求める東宮職医師団の見解を７月末に発表した。

The Imperial Household Agency's response to these questions could be seen as an overreaction. If nothing changes, I feel that the gap will widen between the public and the Crown Prince and Princess, and by extension the entire Imperial Family.
過剰ともいえる反応だ。このままでは、皇太子ご夫妻、ひいては皇室と国民との距離が広がっていくのではないかと感じている。

The medical team had problems with the questions asked at the Crown Prince's press conferences that were held before his visits to Brazil in June and Spain in July. The fact that Princess Masako was not to accompany the Crown Prince led the press corps to ask questions about the process leading to this decision, the emotional state of the Crown Prince and Princess, and future predictions regarding Crown Princess Masako's overseas visits.
医師団が問題としたのは、皇太子さまが６月にブラジル、７月にスペインを訪問するのに合わせ、それぞれ事前にあった皇太子さまの記者会見での質問だ。雅子さまが同行しないことから、記者会は同行断念の経過やご夫妻の気持ち、さらには今後の雅子さまの海外訪問の見通しなどについて尋ねた。

The Crown Prince responded at a press conference preceding his Brazil visit, "Based on the comprehensive assessment of all these conditions and following consultation with her doctors, I have decided to visit the country alone." He followed up at a press conference ahead of his Spain visit, "overseas visits need to be considered with caution, in terms of travel distances, lengths of the visits, events scheduled during the stays, and other matters." I think that the Crown Prince gave sincere consideration to these questions and provided answers that honestly revealed his feelings.
皇太子さまは「お医者さまともご相談の上、総合的に判断して、私一人で訪問することにいたしました」（ブラジル訪問前の会見）、「外国訪問については移動距離、訪問期間、訪問中の行事などの観点から、慎重な判断をする必要があります」（スペイン訪問前の会見）などと答えた。いずれも、質問を真摯（しんし）に受け止め、胸の内を率直に語ってくれたと思っている。

Even so, Grand Master Issei Nomura, head of the Imperial Household Agency's Board of the Crown Prince's Household (the entity responsible for the care of the Crown Prince and his family), issued a statement from the Board's medical team on July 25. They complained that reporters' questions "not only undermine the efforts of the Crown Princess but also could give her the impression that she is being criticized for not working hard enough," and that "there must be a complete halt to the encouragement of someone who is doing their best to continue treatment because this encouragement only creates added psychological pressures." According to the Imperial Household Agency, reporters' questions, which were nothing more than "encouragement," could not only delay Princess Masako's recovery, but may make her condition worse.
ところが、皇太子ご一家をお世話する宮内庁東宮職のトップである野村一成・東宮大夫は７月２５日に、東宮職医師団の見解を発表した。「妃殿下のご努力に水を差すだけではなく、努力が足りないと批判している印象を与えかねない」「治療を受け頑張っている人に対する励ましは、精神的に追い詰めることになるので絶対に避けるべきだ」などとし、記者会の質問は「励まし」にほかならず、雅子さまの回復を遅らせるだけでなく、病状を悪化させる可能性があると危惧（きぐ）している、とする内容だ。

Press conferences with the Crown Prince are held only a few times a year: on the Crown Prince's birthday and for events such as overseas visits. The press corps provides its questions in advance to the Imperial Household Agency, with both parties then communicating to revise the questions. The problematic questions from the two press conferences were also provided in advance following a thorough press corps evaluation of the content. I don't understand how the same Imperial Household Agency that had approved these questions would then issue a "medical team opinion" following the press conferences asking for consideration regarding questions.
皇太子さまの記者会見は、誕生日のほか、外国訪問があった場合などに開かれるだけで、年に数回に限られる。質問は、事前に記者会から宮内庁側に提出され、双方の間で文言などの調整がはかられる。問題になった２回の会見での質問も、記者会で内容を詰めたうえで事前に提出したものだ。宮内庁側もその質問を受け入れていただけに、会見後に質問に配慮を求める「医師団の見解」が出てきたのは理解に苦しむ。

It is true that similar questions regarding Princess Masako not traveling with the Crown Prince were repeatedly asked. But it is natural that at a press conference held only a few times a year the reporter in charge would ask questions about the condition of Princess Masako, an issue the public is certainly interested in. Furthermore, I think it is impossible for these questions to "undermine" the efforts of Princess Masako. I do not think they serve as "encouragement." Psychiatrist Rika Kayama offers the following evaluation: "It is unlikely that the questions will negatively impact her symptoms. I think they are trying to say that 'encouragement' is, in essence, 'pressure.' This is a complete overreaction."
雅子さまが同行しなかったことに対する同様の質問が繰り返されたのは確かだが、１年に数えるほどしかない会見で、国民の大きな関心事である雅子さまのことを聞くのは、担当記者として当然だ。さらに、質問が、雅子さまの努力に「水を差す」とは思えないし、何より「励まし」というものではないと思う。精神科医の香山リカさんも「質問が病状にマイナスになるとは考えにくい。『励まし』というのも本来、『プレッシャー』と言いたいところなのでは。必要以上の過剰反応だ」とみる。

I think the medical team's opinion stems from how worried they are about Princess Masako. Unfortunately, it seems this approach will lead to the Crown Prince and Princess being further obscured from the public. As I said in January, the recent increase in criticism and doubts regarding the Crown Prince and Princess, coming mainly from weekly magazines, has a lot to do with the Imperial Household Agency's failure to make Princess Masako's current condition known. The opinion of the medical team is an attempt to squash public interest on items such as Princess Masako's state of recovery. This could add momentum to criticism of the Imperial Family.
医師団の見解は、雅子さまのことを案ずるあまりのことと思うが、残念ながら、かえって国民からご夫妻の姿を見えにくくすることにつながるように感じる。１月にも指摘したが、最近増えている週刊誌などを中心としたご夫妻への批判や疑問は、雅子さまの実情を明らかにしない宮内庁の姿勢と無縁ではない。質問に配慮を求める医師団の見解は、雅子さまの回復状況など国民の関心事項を排除する方向に働きかけるものだ。バッシングに拍車をかけることにつながりかねない。

Dr. Kayama had the following to say regarding Princess Masako's treatment: "The chief physician should not remain passive. I think that it is now time to provide advice such as 'Please do this' or 'You should avoid doing that' to Princess Masako." However, the recent medical team opinion demonstrates that this is not the way treatment is being provided.
雅子さまの治療について、香山さんは「主治医も、受け身になるだけではなく、雅子さまに『これはやってください』『これはやらないほうがいい』などとアドバイスした方がいい時期に来ているのではと思う」と語る。しかし、今回の見解は、治療がそういう形で行われていないことも示すものだ。

Starting last year, the Imperial Household Agency opened a portion of the Fukiage Gardens on the Imperial Palace grounds to the public, hosting nature observation groups for the general population. The opening of the Fukiage Gardens is a result of the desire of the Emperor and Empress to "share with the public" the nature of the gardens. There are many people who are very moved by the kind gesture on the part of Their Imperial Highnesses and the Imperial Family when they visit locations throughout Japan. When traveling with Their Highnesses as a reporter I strongly feel that the sentiment "with the people" is the basis for their actions.
宮内庁は昨年から、皇居・吹上御苑の一部を開放し、一般の人を対象に「自然観察会」を開いている。吹上御苑の自然を「国民とともに分かち合いたい」という天皇、皇后両陛下の意向を受けたものだ。また、全国各地を訪問した際に集まった人たちに丁寧に応対する両陛下、皇族方の姿に胸を打たれる人は多い。同行取材では、そこに両陛下の「国民とともに」との気持ちが根底にあることを強く感じる。

I wonder if these kinds of efforts by Their Imperial Highnesses and the Imperial Family will ultimately be "undermined" by the recent medical team opinion and the actions of the Imperial Household Agency?
今回の東宮職医師団の見解や宮内庁の対応は、こうした両陛下と皇族方の努力に、それこそ「水を差す」ものになりはしないだろうかと考える。

("As I See It" by Mitsuyuki Manabe, Mainichi Shimbun)
毎日新聞　2008年9月9日　0時13分