The full text of His Majesty the Emperor's press conference.
About the events that left an impression on me this year
(Question)
In the past year, while the effects of the new coronavirus infection continued, there were various events such as the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the relocation to the Imperial Household, and the birthday of the Emperor Emeritus. ..
Please tell us about the events that left an impression on you.
In a situation where you have limited opportunities to interact directly with the people, please tell us your impressions of visiting various places online and your thoughts on the future activities of "With Corona" and "Post Corona".
(Answer from His Majesty the Emperor)
The new coronavirus infection has been rampant over the past year.
We would like to express our deepest condolences to those who have died, and extend our deepest sympathies to many who have lost their loved ones, such as family and friends.
Due to the effects of infectious diseases, many people lose their jobs, suffer from difficult living conditions, and become more isolated, which is painful.
Healthcare professionals, exposed to the threat of their own infections, have a strong sense of mission and are committed to saving the lives of patients at the forefront, day and night.
In addition, I think that the efforts of the emergency services, health centers, and other related organizations that are making similar efforts to properly connect the affected people to the medical field are also struggling.
And, under this corona situation, we support and support people in socially vulnerable positions, such as the elderly and people with disabilities who need support, those who are in need of living, and children of poor households. I am grateful that many people are doing their best to protect their lives and livelihoods, and that the essential workers support the daily lives of many people.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to many of these people.
Continuing measures against the spread of prolonged infectious diseases requires great efforts.
I think that many people are trying to prevent the spread of infection as much as they can, avoiding direct contact with close people and paying attention to every corner of their lives.
We will make a great deal of effort for each and every one of these people.
It has been a difficult situation for a long time, but for the time being, we will be able to patiently overcome this difficult situation by continuing efforts to share pain and support each other while caring for each other. I believe in it.
Last year, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games were held.
Although the event was held in the difficult situation of spreading the new coronavirus infection, many people concerned such as management staff, volunteers, medical staff, security personnel, etc. who made it possible to finish the tournament safely I would like to pay tribute to my efforts.
As was the case with us, I think that there were many who found new hope and courage from the appearance of each of the participating athletes taking part in the competition.
In addition, players from participating countries praise each other's good fights, and for example, after the women's basketball awards ceremony, all players from Japan, the United States, and France naturally mix and take a commemorative photo. I was also impressed by the fact that the exchanges between players across national borders were seen in various places.
I saw heartwarming exchanges between athletes at the Winter Olympics in Beijing this time, and while watching such a scene, I won the gold medal at the 70-meter class ski jump at the Sapporo Winter Olympics 50 years ago. I missed the appearance of Norwegian Ingolf Mork, who took over Kasaya in honor of Yukio Kasaya's good fight.
There are still various tensions between countries, but I hope that people-to-people exchanges will lead to a peaceful world that transcends national and regional boundaries and recognizes each other. I hope.
Last year, too, there was a lot of interest in climate change as one of the biggest challenges facing humankind today.
To solve this problem, a wide range of stakeholders, including countries, companies, research institutes, and the general public, must work together to realize a carbon-free society.
That sometimes looks like an insurmountable wall, but in recent years we have been challenging these challenges.
For example, in the early Heisei period, "depletion of the ozone layer", which increases the amount of ultraviolet rays falling on the surface of the earth, was the first issue to be raised as a global environmental problem. The situation is so high that the UN's specialized agency shows that the ozone layer will recover to the level of 1980 in the early 2030s due to technological innovations of companies such as Freon recovery technology, understanding and cooperation of consumers. I hear that is improving.
This recovery of the ozone layer is a good example of the improvement of environmental problems that have been addressed on a global scale, and gives courage as efforts toward climate change countermeasures are beginning.
Under such circumstances, I am pleased that Dr. Syukuro Manabe was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics last year for the development of the climate model that was also used for global warming prediction.
We sincerely hope that the climate change problem will be improved by making full use of the knowledge accumulated so far and continuing efforts to cooperate with the people concerned in each country and region and the general public to take measures. hoping.
It will be 11 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck.
It is deeply painful to remember that more than 20,000 people died or went missing due to this earthquake.
In the process of reconstruction after that, although the social infrastructure that supports people's lives and industries has progressed, the number of people who need mental support has increased in recent years, in the true sense of the word. I think the reconstruction of is still in the middle of the road.
I will continue to focus on the disaster area with Masako.
Looking back, I think that many victims were encouraged by the volunteers who rushed to the site immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Relief supplies were delivered from many countries overseas, and volunteers rushed to the disaster area.
It is a new memory to receive various support from the people of Tonga, who were informed of the damage caused by the eruption of the submarine volcano last month.
The feeling of gratitude at that time is still not fading.
We would like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to those affected by the recent eruption of Tonga.
Atsushi Miyazaki, who had been traveling from Japan for support activities in the 2011 earthquake that occurred in Turkey, which was the same as the Great East Japan Earthquake, unfortunately died in the aftershock.
In a disaster area where the infrastructure such as paved roads is not enough, President Gul at that time said that he died after doing his best for strangers in Turkey, and Mr. Miyazaki, who was devoted to moving the hearts of the Turkish people, will be forever. I will never forget, I sent a letter to His Majesty the Emperor.
After that, I was impressed by the warm feelings of the Turkish people when I heard that parks and schools bearing the name of Mr. Miyazaki were opened in various parts of Turkey last year.
The spirit of disaster volunteers who strive to help people in difficult situations due to disasters is truly precious.
I would like to pay tribute to the many people in Japan who are engaged in disaster volunteer activities at home and abroad.
In Japan, it is predicted that some major earthquakes will occur in the future.
In recent years, heavy rain disasters that cause great damage have occurred frequently, and it is said that the risk of meteorological disasters may increase further in the future due to the effects of climate change, and many people help in the event of a disaster. It is expected that more situations will be needed.
Therefore, each of us raises awareness of disaster prevention and mitigation, prepares ourselves for disasters, and when a disaster occurs somewhere, each one of us stays close to the affected people as much as we can. I hope that the society will be able to act as much as possible to help.
I and Masako regret that it has become difficult to have direct contact with the general public due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection.
Nevertheless, by visiting the three prefectures affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March and April last year and inspecting the reconstruction situation online, and visiting various parts of the country online, we can listen to the stories of the local people and interact with them. It was significant and thankful for us to be able to do this.
For example, in connection with "Children's Day" in May, we visited Takamori Town at the foot of Mt. Aso in Kumamoto Prefecture and Mishima Village, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture, in half a day, and each has its own characteristics. The fact that I was able to interact with local children and participate in the 5th UN Special Meeting on Water and Disasters online with researchers from each country is not just because the use of online is an advantage as an infectious disease control. Instead, for example, you can meet people in multiple places at the same time, and interact with people in areas that are normally difficult to visit, such as remote islands and mountainous areas, relatively easily and with a sense of presence. It reminded me of the advantages and possibilities of being able to do it.
If it is not an actual visit, you can actually visit various places, talk directly with many people in the area, share the same experience, and feel the land and the atmosphere of the land. In the current situation where the infection does not converge, although there are some things that cannot be gained, online is considered to be an effective means of connecting us with the people of the people and the people of the world.
There may be challenges online, but I hope to continue to utilize them in a way that suits the situation.
In addition, even after the infection has subsided, if it is appropriate to utilize online, I would like to consider using it as well.
Due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection, it is currently difficult to interact in various forms, and it is still difficult to meet people in person to deepen or expand ties. Even in such a situation, while valuing each other's connections, we will continue to light the fire of hope in our hearts, and further, people and society will be connected beyond the boundaries of countries and regions. We hope that it will be a year in which we can recognize and support each other.
I am delighted that His Majesty the Emperor will have a US life at the end of last year and that His Majesty the Emeritus will have a US life this year.
We are delighted to meet your Majesties together for the first time in a long time on December last year and New Year's Day this year.
In addition, we are grateful that you and Aiko are warmly watching over us on a daily basis.
I understand that Their Majesties are spending their days while being hurt by the spread of the new coronavirus infection.
We pray from the bottom of our hearts that you will continue to take good care of yourself and stay healthy for many years to come.
The situation of the Empress's recovery Thoughts on Aiko
(Question)
The Empress has been engaged in public affairs with Her Majesty while continuing her medical treatment.
How is your recovery situation?
Aiko, the eldest daughter, has reached the age of 20.
How did you feel when you saw the appearance at the adult event?
Looking back on the past 20 years, please tell us your thoughts as a father about your impressive memories, your current student life with online classes, your expectations for your future steps, and your marriage.
(Answer from His Majesty the Emperor)
Masako is having difficulty getting in shape due to restrictions on her activities due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, but fortunately, she has made various efforts and efforts. We were able to attend ceremonies in Tokyo, online visits to various places, and New Year's video messages.
As for sericulture, she was happy to see that she was able to work on more work last year and enjoyed working.
Also, as the living environment changes drastically with her relocation to the Imperial Palace, I think she is working hard to adjust the rhythm of her public affairs and life.
However, she is still on the way to recovery, her physical condition is swelling, and her tiredness tends to remain for some time after a major event.
I hope she will continue to steadily accumulate what she can do without overdoing it.
Masako is an important person who supports my daily activities, and she is a good consultant both publicly and privately.
I would like to continue to help and support as much as possible.
I would like to express my gratitude to all the people for their warm hearts, and I would like to thank them for their continued warm support for Masako's recovery.
Aiko reached her adulthood last December.
I think she was nervous about announcing her impressions of adulthood and attending adult events, but she managed to finish her events safely and we were relieved.
She was also deeply impressed that she had unknowingly reached the age of twenty and she was to join the ranks of adults.
She is always happy as a parent that Aiko has her gratitude for her help and support from many people.
As for the memorable memories, Aiko, who used to swim a short distance in the pool using a kickboard when she was little, can swim 3km in the sea of Numazu in Shizuoka prefecture during her junior high school days. I remember being very shocked when I visited Hiroshima on a junior high school school trip, and when I wrote down my thoughts on peace, I felt growth and was happy.
Aiko became a college student two years ago, but she continues to attend her classes online due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection.
She is in her second year, and although she is busy with presentations in exercise classes and submitting assignments, she is working hard to study at university.
Looking back on my own college life, it's been about 40 years ago, but at college I met various people and took classes and participated in club activities after school together. I think it was a series of new discoveries and experiences, such as being next to a stranger in the student cafeteria.
In that sense, I think it would be good for Aiko to calm down her infectious diseases and be able to visit the campus someday, but no matter what the environment, she should lead a fruitful student life. I hope I can do it.
Aiko cherishes her time with her family, and when she and Aiko are three, our group is always having fun with laughter.
As I said last year, I hope Aiko will learn a lot from her various people, gain various experiences, broaden her horizons, and deepen her own thoughts. ..
She also wants her to fulfill her duties as an adult royal family with compassion and gratitude.
In the process, we would like to be able to consult with you as much as possible.
About Mako Komuro
(Question)
Mako Komuro of Mei left the imperial family in October last year due to her marriage.
What is your Majesty's view of the unusual process of not being paid a lump sum and the ritual not being held and the impact on the imperial family?
What are your thoughts on the weekly news reports that are said to have affected Mako's physical condition, the writing on the Internet, and the way the imperial family disseminates information?
(Answer from His Majesty the Emperor)
Mako Komuro has been watching her growth as a niece since she was little, and since she reached the age of majority, she has been sincerely engaged in various public activities until she left the imperial family due to marriage last fall. I would like to say that I have been working on (Shinshi) deeply.
Based on the circumstances leading up to the marriage, such as various opinions about marriage, it was decided that the Akishinomiya family would not perform the ceremony of ceremonies, and that the ceremony of Asami would not be performed at my discretion.
I hope she will lead a happy life in the future, but at the same time, she feels sorry for causing many people to worry.
As I mentioned last year, I think that the basics of the imperial family and activities are to always wish for the happiness of the people and to share the pain with the people.
And I think it is important to fulfill our duties in response to the changing times and social changes.
The relationship of trust between the people and the imperial family is as each person who makes up the imperial family faces such a role sincerely, fulfills each and every task while wishing for the happiness of the people, and exchanges hearts with the people. I think that will be built.
At the same time, I think it is important to properly convey information about the imperial family.
Regarding weekly news reports and writing on the Internet, the right of people to freely express their opinions and ideas should be respected as a basic human right guaranteed by the Constitution, and people are free and diverse. I think it is important to create a society where people can express their opinions.
In that context, it is a general theory, but when expressing an opinion to another person, it is always necessary to keep in mind that it can sometimes hurt the person's heart or position. I think there is.
I hope that we can use our imagination in the situations of others, consider people in different positions and have different ideas, and build a tolerant society in which we can respect each other.
About succession to the throne
(Question)
The government's Council of Experts compiled a report, showing two plans to secure the number of royal families: one is for the female royal family to remain in the imperial family after marriage, and the other is for adopting male males from the former royal family.
On the other hand, looking back on the history of the imperial family, there have been many critical times over the throne in the past, and there is a history of overcoming each time.
How does His Majesty, who has learned deeply about successive emperors, perceive the long history of the succession of the throne to this day?
(Answer by His Majesty the Emperor)
Looking at the history of the imperial family, while the throne was inherited continuously, there were various events such as the ancient Jinshin War and the internal turmoil of the Northern and Southern Dynasties in the Middle Ages, where the whereabouts of the succession to the throne became an issue. did.
It reminds me of the words that His Majesty the Emperor had previously stated that the Emperor was traditionally in a spiritual position to share the pain with the people. ..
I think that the thoughts contained in these words are not only for His Majesty the Emperor, but also for the thoughts of successive emperors.
After the Warring States period, when I visited Nishio City in Aichi Prefecture in 2016, Emperor Go-Nara's Heart Sutra was struck by the appearance of people suffering from famine and epidemics due to unseasonable weather such as floods. The emperor himself was copied and dedicated to the shrines and temples of various countries.
After that, at Daigoji Temple in Kyoto, I saw Emperor Go-Nara's Heart Sutra, and the emperor's thought that "I am afraid that I cannot spread virtue as a parent of the people" in my secretary. It was written.
Furthermore, at Daikakuji Temple, I saw the Heart Sutra, which is said to belong to Emperor Saga, and the Heart Sutra, which was copied by Emperor Gokogon, Emperor Go-Hanazono, Emperor Go-Nara, Emperor Ogimachi, and Emperor Kokaku.
In this way, the successive emperors reaffirmed that they always had the desire to pray for the peace of the country and the well-being of the people while considering people and society.
Also, I think it is important when considering the history of the emperor that the scholarship, which is a sentence rather than a martial art, has been valued.
For example, in the so-called "Taikosho", which was written by Emperor Hanazono in the Kamakura period to the Crown Prince Kogon, the importance of accumulating virtue was first explained, and for that purpose, morals and courtesy were included. He explains that he must study in a sense.
I was deeply moved by the thoughts of successive emperors.
I would like to cherish the teachings obtained from the emperor's unwritten shinkan in the past as one of the guideposts for fulfilling his responsibilities as the emperor.
And, with that thought in mind, keeping in mind the actions of successive emperors who have inherited the throne, while accumulating Ken-san, thinking about the people, being close to the people, and fulfilling their duties as a symbol. I would like to make an effort.
50 years of Okinawa's return to the mainland
（質問）
今年は沖縄の本土復帰から50年となります。
陛下はこれまで訪問を重ね、「豆記者」との交流なども続けてこられましたが、沖縄についての思い出や、先の大戦で大きな被害を受けた沖縄の歴史や人々への思いについてお聞かせください。
（天皇陛下のお答え）
私は、幼少の頃より、沖縄に深い思いを寄せておられる上皇上皇后両陛下より、沖縄についていろいろなことを伺ってまいりました。
子ども時代の沖縄との関わりについては、毎年夏を過ごした軽井沢での沖縄の豆記者の皆さんとの交流がありました。
そうした機会は、幼少の私にとって、沖縄について知るとても良い機会でした。
会の途中では、豆記者の生徒さんが、沖縄の空手の形を披露してくれていましたが、昨年夏の東京オリンピックで金メダルを取った沖縄出身の喜友名諒選手の空手の演技を見ながら、当時を懐かしく思い出しました。
交流会の終わりには全員で沖縄民謡の「てぃんさぐぬ花」と「芭蕉布」を合唱しました。
また、子どもの頃から、毎年、6月23日の沖縄慰霊の日には、黙とうをささげていました。
最初に沖縄を訪れたのは、昭和62年の夏季国体の折でしたが、それに先立って、沖縄学の研究者であった外間守善教授から、沖縄の文化や歴史についてお話を伺ったことも、沖縄への理解を深める上でとても良かったと思っています。
沖縄では、ひめゆりの塔や戦没者墓苑を訪問し、沖縄が被った戦争被害の痛ましさに深く思いを致したことをよく覚えています。
結婚後には、雅子と共に、「平和の礎」を訪れ、二人そろって、沖縄戦で亡くなった全ての方々への思いを新たにいたしました。
また、沖縄の人々にとって大切なシンボルとなっていた首里城が焼失してしまったことはとても残念でしたが、首里城や今帰仁城跡などの史跡を訪れたり、様々な折に組踊や琉球舞踊などを鑑賞したりして、沖縄の歴史や豊かな文化に触れることができたことも良い思い出になっています。
先の大戦で、悲惨な地上戦の舞台となり、その後、約27年間も日本国の施政下から外れた沖縄は、人々の強い願いの下、50年前日本への復帰を果たしました。
この間、今日に至るまで、沖縄の人々は本当に多くの苦難を乗り越えてきたものと思いますし、このことを決して忘れてはならないと思います。
本土復帰から50年の節目となる今年、私自身も、今まで沖縄がたどってきた道のりを今一度見つめ直し、沖縄の地と沖縄の皆さんに心を寄せていきたいと思います。
そして、これからも、多くの人が沖縄の歴史や文化を学び、沖縄への理解を深めていくことを願っています。
愛子さまの行事でのお姿をご覧になって
（質問）
愛子さまについてあっという間にこういう成年皇族になられたとお話しになっていましたけれども、宮殿での成年の行事の時に、愛子様のとても美しいお姿をご覧になった率直な御感想というのはどんな思いがおありだったでしょうか。
（天皇陛下のお答え）
先ほどもお話ししましたけれども、小さかった愛子がもう二十歳になった、そして大人の仲間入りをした、そういうような深い感慨を覚えました。
そして今後とも、本当に幸せな人生を歩んでいってほしいというように、そのように心から願いました。
悠仁さまについて
(Question) I would like to ask
Aiko to talk a little more about her university life, but the other day, Yuhito, who is second in the succession to the throne, passed the high school attached to Tsukuba University and went on to higher education. Although it was announced that it was expected to be done, it will be 18 years old while in high school.
Please tell us your thoughts on this and your expectations for how you would like to spend your time as a successor to the throne based on your own experiences.
(Answer by His Majesty the Emperor)
That's right.
I think my high school days are a long time ago, and although I'm old, I've really met different people, made friends, and more during my three years in high school. I still remember that I was able to work on the activity, and in that sense, I was able to spend a very fulfilling three years.
The other day, I received a report that the destination of the high school of King Yuhito was decided, but I sincerely hope that you will lead a fruitful high school life.