Empress Michiko Delivers a Speech

Japanese Empress Michiko, looking thinner but in good spirits, gave her first public address Wednesday, almost seven months after she was struck by a mystery malady that left her speechless.

In an apparent practice run before a hectic U.S. tour next month, Empress Michiko gave a brief speech in Tokyo at the annual convention of the Japanese Red Cross Society, for which she serves as honorary president.

Empress Michiko fainted on her 59th birthday Oct. 20 and, upon regaining consciousness several hours later, was unable to speak.

At first, it was believed she had suffered a minor stroke, but palace officials said medical tests for a stroke were negative. They later attributed her mystery illness to “deep sorrow” after the publication of several magazine articles criticizing her as a dictator determined to take over palace management from courtiers.