Japan's Crown Prince said Wednesday he would travel solo to Brazil next week because the trip would be too tough for his ailing wife, Crown Princess Masako. Naruhito, heir to the world's oldest monarchy, said Brazil is too far for Masako to travel because the 44-year-old princess is recovering from a stress-induced ailment that has kept her from most of her official duties for several years. «We have decided it is difficult» for the princess to make the trip, the 48-year-old prince told a news conference at his palace in Tokyo. Naruhito is to make a 12-day trip from Monday for the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Brazil. «Brazil is far away, and there are many events and ceremonies to attend. After consulting with doctors, it's been decided I will go alone,» Naruhito said, adding Masako would not accompany him on a July trip to Spain either.
