Japanese princess does not go to school because of violent bullying

(AP)

Japan's Princess Aiko, granddaughter of the emperor, has missed several days of classes because of bullying by boys at her school, a spokesman for the royal family said yesterday.

The eight-year-old princess complained of a stomach ache and expressed deep anxiety, and has not attended school since coming home early Tuesday, the spokesman for the Imperial Household Agency said. An investigation by the agency and the school revealed that she and other students had suffered "violent things" from boys in another class, the spokesman said, declining to elaborate.

Aiko is the daughter of Crown Prince Naruhito, son of the current emperor, and Princess Masako. The agency spokesman would not comment on the reaction of her parents or when she would return to school.

Naruhito is to visit Africa starting Saturday but won't be accompanied by Masako, who hasn't attended official duties for several years. She has long suffered from a nervous disorder attributed to the difficulties of adjusting to palace life and the pressure to bear a son.