Although the media and insatiable public curiosity can expose the private secrets of superstars, the Imperial family remains largely out of view
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Magazines and tabloids try to cover the little information available about the royals, especially Crown Princess Masako and her stress-related illness, but criticism of the family is still a taboo among most Japanese. Despite this, foreigners do not consider the Imperial family off limits and often compare its situation with that of Western royalty
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The following are basic facts about the emperor system and the Imperial family: