Japan's Emperor Naruhito turned 63 on Thursday.
Ahead of his birthday, he spoke to the media at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The Emperor and Empress Masako resumed visits within Japan last year, after a near three-year suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They visited Okinawa Prefecture in October last year, which marked 50 years since its return to Japan from US rule.
The Emperor said they felt very grateful that they were able to meet and talk to the people of Okinawa in person.
He said they met the bereaved families of those who died in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa and felt for each and every person who experienced difficulties and sorrows.
He reflected on the meetings, and said the importance of peace was again engraved deeply in his heart.
The Emperor and Empress attended the state funeral of Britain's Queen Elizabeth in September last year.
The Emperor expressed his deep gratitude for the Queen's kindness toward him on various occasions when he studied at Oxford University and on subsequent visits to the UK.
The Emperor also expressed his gratitude to Empress Masako, to whom he will be married for 30 years in June.
He said she is a precious person who supports his activities on a daily basis while being also a mentor for him in public and in private.
He noted that she is watching over their daughter, Princess Aiko, with much care from day to day, and he is grateful to Empress Masako for bringing ease and warmth into his life.
Emperor Naruhito will be greeting the public at the palace on Thursday for the first time since he ascended the throne.
Ahead of his birthday, he spoke to the media at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The Emperor and Empress Masako resumed visits within Japan last year, after a near three-year suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
They visited Okinawa Prefecture in October last year, which marked 50 years since its return to Japan from US rule.
The Emperor said they felt very grateful that they were able to meet and talk to the people of Okinawa in person.
He said they met the bereaved families of those who died in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa and felt for each and every person who experienced difficulties and sorrows.
He reflected on the meetings, and said the importance of peace was again engraved deeply in his heart.
The Emperor and Empress attended the state funeral of Britain's Queen Elizabeth in September last year.
The Emperor expressed his deep gratitude for the Queen's kindness toward him on various occasions when he studied at Oxford University and on subsequent visits to the UK.
The Emperor also expressed his gratitude to Empress Masako, to whom he will be married for 30 years in June.
He said she is a precious person who supports his activities on a daily basis while being also a mentor for him in public and in private.
He noted that she is watching over their daughter, Princess Aiko, with much care from day to day, and he is grateful to Empress Masako for bringing ease and warmth into his life.
Emperor Naruhito will be greeting the public at the palace on Thursday for the first time since he ascended the throne.
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Summary
Emperor Naruhito, aged 63, spoke about his recent resumed visits within Japan and expressed gratitude for meetings with the people of Okinawa. He reflected on the importance of peace following discussions with bereaved families from the Battle of Okinawa. The Emperor and Empress attended Queen
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ID: 9fbeb1e6-7f54-4286-8db5-248d904b2d3b
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230223_03/
Date: Feb. 23, 2023
Created: 2023/02/23 07:27
Updated: 2025/12/09 07:05
Last Read: 2023/02/23 14:00