The Empress celebrated her 59th birthday on the 9th.
The Empress expressed her impressions in a letter on her birthday, and about Queen Elizabeth of England, who attended the state funeral in September this year, said, "Her Majesty, who has guided people for many years, has the depth and intelligence of her heart, and the depth of her heart. I once again felt the magnitude of your existence, and felt my heartfelt respect and condolences."
He also touched on the resumption of visits to rural areas that had been delayed for nearly three years due to the impact of the new coronavirus, such as the Emperor's first visit to Okinawa Prefecture after his accession to the throne. I was more than happy and grateful to have received this,” he said.
Looking back on her marriage to the Emperor at the age of 29, she said, "It's been 29 and a half years since that day on my birthday. Before I knew it, I was deeply moved by the fact that I had spent exactly half of my life in the Imperial Household." I remember," and added, "I would like to thank many people from the bottom of my heart for supporting and watching over me step by step."
Her Empress will receive congratulations from Prince Akishino and the heads of the three powers, along with Emperor Akihito, at the Imperial Palace on the morning of the 9th.
The full text of the Empress's thoughts on her birthday
I am grateful to be able to celebrate my birthday safely this year as well.
I feel that the past year has been a year of many heartbreaks, with international conflicts and natural disasters around the world weighing heavily on us as the corona crisis continues.
I feel deep sorrow that many people, including children, have lost their lives due to wars and conflicts around the world.
In the international community, I am keenly aware of the importance of everyone respecting each other and working together toward the major goal of creating a peaceful world.
Major disasters such as floods and earthquakes have also occurred. In Pakistan, about one-third of the land was submerged due to heavy rains during the summer, and it is said that 33 million people, or about 15% of the total population, were affected.
Damages caused by floods and droughts are occurring all over the world, including in other Asian countries, Australia, Africa, Europe, and America, and climate change countermeasures are urgently needed.
In order to build a sustainable world in the future, I feel that it is an urgent task for people around the world to share their wisdom, join hands, and cooperate.
In Japan, disasters caused by earthquakes, heavy rains, and typhoons occurred again this year.
I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the deceased and their bereaved families, as well as my sympathies to those who have been affected.
It was also unfortunate that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom passed away in September this year after 70 years on the throne.
Her Majesty the Queen was mourned by people around the world, including the British public.
I felt once again the depth and intelligence of Her Majesty the Queen, who has guided people over the years, and the magnitude of her existence, and I felt her heartfelt respect and condolences.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan.
In such a year, I was delighted to be able to visit Okinawa Prefecture for the Autumn National Cultural Festival and the National Art and Cultural Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
In the midst of the corona crisis, I was unable to visit rural areas for nearly three years, but I was able to resume my visits during the National Sports Festival held in Tochigi Prefecture in October. I was able to participate in the national event to create a rich sea in Hyogo Prefecture, and I was more than happy and grateful to have been warmly welcomed by so many people in various places with smiles. .
On the other hand, it hurts my heart that many people are living with various difficulties due to the corona disaster and recent price hikes.
There are also concerns about the impact on children who have been living with restrictions for nearly three years.
This year seems to have passed in a heavy atmosphere, but at the recent soccer World Cup, people all over Japan cheered enthusiastically, and the Japanese national team put up a great fight. It was an event that left a lasting impression on me, as it gave me the courage to face difficulties as well as the excitement and dreams, and became an opportunity for the Japanese people to unite their hearts.
Looking back on my last birthday in my 50s, I entered the Imperial family on June 9, 1993, when I was just 29 and a half years old, through marriage to His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince at the time. was.
It's my birthday today, and it's been exactly 29 and a half years since then.
Before I knew it, I had spent exactly half of my life in the imperial family, and I am deeply moved.
When I look back on my life up to this point, there have been a lot of things in the first half of my 29 and a half years old, and also in the second half after I entered the Imperial family. I feel that I have come a long way.
With the guidance of Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the Emperor and many others for supporting and watching over me step by step. I think that I want to do it.
I hope that the coming year will be a better one in which people in Japan and around the world can feel safe and secure. I would like to make an effort.
I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your warm feelings.
Empress this year
Over the past year, the Empress has supported His Majesty the Emperor, such as energetically visiting rural areas while monitoring his physical condition.
In September, she visited the United Kingdom with His Majesty the Emperor and attended the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth.
According to those close to her, at the reception after her state funeral, Their Majesties stayed until the end, talked with the royal families of each country who attended, and remembered her queen.
In October, she visited Okinawa Prefecture with His Majesty the Emperor and comforted the spirits of the victims at the National Okinawa Cemetery in Itoman City, the site of the last fierce battle of the Battle of Okinawa.
She also talked with the bereaved families of the Battle of Okinawa, and when an elderly man became dizzy in the heat and was about to collapse, the Empress was the first to notice and rushed to him.
After that, she took care of her bereaved family by encouraging them to sit on the chair.
Also, according to a close aide, in November, when the Emperor and his eldest daughter Aiko visited the Tokyo National Museum in Ueno, Tokyo, and viewed the national treasure folding screen, it was difficult to see Princess Aiko from the position of the camera used for the interview. It is said that there was a time when the emperor suggested reshooting through the emperor in consideration of the cameraman.
The full text of the opinion of the medical team released by the Imperial Household Agency
The Imperial Household Agency has released the views of the medical team treating the Empress, who has been sick for 19 years.
This is the full text of the doctor's opinion.
Her Majesty the Empress continues to provide treatment based on the basic concepts explained by the medical team.
This year, as for the visits to Tokyo, the National Red Cross Convention was held in May, and the Florence Nightingale Medal Conferment Ceremony was held in August. (Held at both Tokyo and Okinawa venues, attended online), including the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Dead in August, he made 22 appearances, including online.
Regarding the regional visits, in addition to the 4 online trips due to the spread of the new coronavirus infection, since October, I have been to Tochigi, Okinawa and Hyogo prefectures.
Furthermore, in September, he visited the United Kingdom to attend the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty the Empress supports Her Majesty the Emperor, sincerely cares about the various difficulties faced by the people, and strives to secure opportunities for contact with the people as much as possible.
At the Imperial Palace, you have continued your activities, such as increasing the number of silkworm breeds and breeding silkworms this year, while giving due consideration to the prevention of infection.
Her Majesty the Empress warmly watches over Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko, who is working hard to study at university, as a mother. At that time, I was handing out my heart.
It is desirable that Her Majesty the Empress continues to work hard while taking measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, and that she continues to work hard while maintaining her physical condition. am thinking.
On the other hand, Her Majesty the Empress is still on the road to recovery, and her physical condition is still fluctuating.
Therefore, after a big event or if the event continues, you may feel tired for a while.
In particular, this year, in addition to his visits to Tokyo, he has made various visits to other regions and overseas, as well as to an increasing number of events at Imperial Palaces and palaces.
As a team of doctors, we want her to get enough rest so that she doesn't feel tired.
In addition, as I have been telling everyone for some time, I believe that it is important to expand the range of activities even in private areas while paying close attention to the infection status of the new coronavirus infection. We are here.
It is important for Her Majesty the Empress to continue her treatment while receiving the understanding and support of those around her. .
Released video of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress chatting happily
On the occasion of the Empress's birthday, the Imperial Household Agency has released a video of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress having a pleasant conversation at their residence in the Imperial Palace.
In addition to attending the opening ceremony of the "National Cultural Festival" held in Okinawa Prefecture this year, Their Majesties attended a special exhibition held at the Tokyo National Museum to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to the mainland. In the video, you can see each pictorial record and guidebook.
His Majesty the Emperor explained about the traditional Okinawan tug-of-war and Ryukyu architecture written there, and the Empress listened attentively while nodding her head several times.