The Wider Image: 'Superfan' of Japan's royals has followed them for decades
Wherever Japan's royals go, there too goes Fumiko Shirataki: in summer heat and winter cold, to the ocean and to the mountains. Except when it snows or rains too hard. "You can't get good pictures then - and if the camera lens gets wet, it might get damaged. I really worry about that," said Shirataki, 78, who has spent the last 26 years following and photographing Emperor Akihito, Empress Michiko and especially Crown Princess Masako. "As soon as I know their plans I'll be there - though it's hard if I only find out the night before." she added. Shirataki's passion for "okkake," as the pursuit is known in Japan, began in 1993, when she followed then-Masako Owada after her engagement to Crown Prince Naruhito but couldn't get good photos. REUTERS/Issei Kato SEARCH "EMPEROR FAN" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY. Matching text: JAPAN-EMPEROR/FAN