Japan's Empress Masako turns 56

Japanese Empress Masako celebrated her birthday and turned 56 years old on December 9, 2019. It is her first birthday since officially becoming empress. Masako published a statement on her birthday, expressing her gratitude towards the many people who celebrated and welcomed the newly enthroned emperor and empress this year. The empress is a Harvard-educated former diplomat who has struggled for years with an "adjustment disorder".

Her medical team in a statement on Monday said Masako is still in the middle of the recovery process, and "her conditions have ups and downs", noting that she gets tired after a series engagements or major appearances.