This year, the Emperor will visit various places with the Empress while monitoring the infection status of the new coronavirus, and it will be a year where he can interact with many people.

His Majesty the Emperor expressed his impressions in a document on the occasion of the New Year, saying that he resumed his visits to rural areas last autumn for the first time in about two years and eight months, after waiting for the corona wreck, saying, "Wherever I go, I am warmly welcomed by many people. I am happy and grateful for that," he said.



Regarding his first visit to Okinawa since his accession to the throne, he wrote, "I prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa, and I was reminded of the importance of peace."



He added, "I hope that the new year will be a year in which people in Japan and around the world can move forward with hope."



While monitoring the infection situation, the Emperor and Empress are expected to meet many people in various places, such as visiting Iwate, Hokkaido, Kagoshima, and Ishikawa prefectures at the events they attend every year. .

In June, we will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.



New Year's celebrations are held at the Imperial Palace on New Year's Day.

In addition, on the 2nd, the New Year's general visit will be held for the first time in three years, and Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Their Majesties, will also participate for the first time.

His Majesty the Emperor New Year's Thoughts Full Text

This is the full text of His Majesty the Emperor's impressions expressed in writing on the occasion of the New Year.

Last year was also a year in which natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, and heavy snow occurred in various places, and the novel coronavirus infectious disease continued to have a major impact on society.



In addition, I believe that you must have faced many hardships, including soaring prices.



Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan.



I visited Okinawa Prefecture with the Empress and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Okinawa.



Even today, wars and conflicts occur frequently around the world, and I feel deep sorrow that many people have lost their lives.



In the international community, I strongly feel the importance of repeated dialogue and cooperation in order to overcome differences in standpoints.



Last autumn, I was able to visit the countryside for the first time in almost three years.



I am happy and grateful to have been warmly welcomed by so many people wherever I went.



I know there are many difficulties, but I hope that people will continue to care for each other and support each other to overcome difficult situations.



I pray that the new year will be a year in which people in Japan and around the world can move forward with hope.

The Imperial Household Agency reveals the state of the Emperor's family

To mark the start of the new year, the Imperial Household Agency has released new footage of the imperial family shot in December.



In the video, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and their eldest daughter, Princess Aiko, are looking at a booklet of paintings created in 1889 spread out on a table.



This booklet is a collection of the Imperial Palace's Sannomaru Shozokan, and there is a picture of the rabbit, which is the zodiac sign of this year. are welcomed.

In addition, the Imperial Household Agency released a video of the Emperor and Empress and the Akishinomiya family chatting at their respective residences.