Schroeder was due to meet Japanese government leaders and Emperor Akihito on the first leg of an Asian tour.

CNN: Schroeder calls for China to join G8, WTO

Increasingly, attention focuses on Princess Mako, the eldest grand-daughter of Emperor Akihito.

CNN: IN HER OWN RIGHT

The dictates of the royal household mean that Emperor Akihito keeps his counsel, but those who know him say that his liberal-minded views are probably ahead of those of most Japanese.

ECONOMIST: Elizabeth Vining