Princess Masako

The written request from Hideki Hayashida was made to 15 member organizations of the agency's press club.

The request asks that they refrain from reporting or taking photographs of the Crown Princess during any future private trips or outings that are designed to allow her to rest.

The press club said it has agreed that each organization should decide whether to comply with the request.

In the request, Hayashida said that "securing as stress-free and as quiet an environment as possible was absolutely necessary for (the Crown Princess') health to recover."

A similar request was to be made to the Japan Magazine Publishers' Association, whose members are not in the press club.

The Crown Princess has not undertaken any official duties since December due to health reasons, which have included a bout of shingles.

Speaking at a news conference, Hayashida said one of the reasons for the Crown Princess' poor health was her "antipathy" toward media reporting of her private affairs.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 3, 2004
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