Emperor Naruhito, marking his 66th birthday on Monday, touched on previous disasters which have affected the nation and pressured the significance of standing by individuals in disaster-hit areas.
With this 12 months marking the fifteenth anniversary of the devastating March 11 earthquake in northeastern Japan and the tenth anniversary of a lethal quake in Kumamoto Prefecture, the emperor is contemplating visiting Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures within the spring, and Kumamoto Prefecture within the fall with Empress Masako.
At a press convention on the Imperial Palace forward of his birthday, the emperor mentioned infrastructure in disaster-hit areas is being restored, however neighborhood restoration nonetheless wants work, including that he feels “the wounds of the disasters have not completely healed.”
“The impact of disasters affects people differently, and its significance cannot be measured by the number of years that have passed. I intend to continue standing with the people in those areas,” he mentioned.
The emperor added that the experiences and classes realized from disasters have to be handed right down to the subsequent technology and that there’s an pressing must reassess preparations for occasions similar to a possible megaquake alongside the Nankai Trough off Japan’s Pacific coast or straight beneath Tokyo.
Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Princess Aiko pose for a photograph on the imperial palace forward of the emperor’s birthday. Image: Imperial Household Agency of Japan through AP
Regarding his household, he thanked the empress for taking over many public duties over the previous 12 months and mentioned he hopes she’s going to “not push herself too hard and do what she can,” displaying consideration for her well being.
The empress has been fighting adjustment dysfunction since December 2003, when she was nonetheless the crown princess and barely appeared in public. Since turning into empress, her attendance at occasions and ceremonies has elevated.
“I would like us to value our connection with the public,” the emperor mentioned.
He additionally mentioned he hopes his solely baby, Princess Aiko, will observe go well with and “be close” to individuals in disaster-affected areas.
As the princess visited Laos in November on her first official abroad journey, the emperor mentioned he believes the imperial household’s tasks are increasing.
As for Prince Hisahito, his nephew and second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, the emperor mentioned, “I want him to cherish the time he has now and grow both as a person and as a member of the imperial family through many experiences.”
Reflecting on his visits final 12 months to Okinawa, Hiroshima and Nagasaki to pay respects to the struggle lifeless on the eightieth anniversary of the tip of World War II, in addition to his conferences with bereaved households and “storytellers,” he mentioned, “Each and every memory they have shared with me is deeply etched within me.”
The emperor additionally spoke about watching the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics along with his household, saying, “I am very happy with the performances of the Japanese athletes. They give us strength and courage, and I pay tribute to the hard work put in by each and every one of them.”
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