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Princess Masako attends New Year's ceremony for 1st time in 3 yrs+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)TOKYO, Jan. 1_(Kyodo) _ Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko received New Year's greetings from other imperial family members and state dignitaries Sunday, with Crown Princess Masako, who is recuperating from a stress-induced illness, taking part in the annual ceremony for the first time in three years. Other participants of the ceremony at the Imperial Palace included Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince and Princess Akishino, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Cabinet ministers. The crown princess has cut back on her attendance at imperial household ceremonies and her public duties since December 2003. She was diagnosed as suffering from an adjustment disorder in July 2004. She has been showing increasing signs of recovery recently. On Monday, the emperor will offer his annual New Year's greetings to the general public from a balcony at the Imperial Palace. |