TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed gratitude to medical professionals and acknowledged the hardship caused by the coronavirus in a New Year’s Day message shared through a video instead of the usual public speech in front of large crowds in the palace.
The emperor and his wife Empress Masako sit side by side next to a sculpted bonsai plant in the video.
Naruhito expressed his “deep respect and gratitude” to doctors and nurses treating COVID-19 patients and empathizing with those who are losing loved ones, losing their jobs or struggling with loneliness.
“Over the past year, we have all faced many problems and hardships over the spread of this unknown coronavirus that for most of us living in this era has never experienced on such a scale,” he said.
He also said he was concerned about the discrimination of those who were ill or working in the medical field, a phenomenon that is widespread in Japan.
“I look forward to meeting you face to face again,” he said after praying for world peace.
Japan has had more than 3,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Concerns are mounting about a further increase in cases, reaching a daily record of 1,337 new infections for the capital Tokyo on Thursday.
The Imperial Palace in central Tokyo is opened to the public every New Year’s Day and crowds on site cheer on the appearance of the Imperial family.
The Imperial Household Agency said last month that a video message would be released as a result of the pandemic. The greater anticipation in Japan looked at whether Masako would appear. She tended to be withdrawn and suffering from a stress-related condition, but has appeared in more public events in recent years.
Masako said at the beginning of the message ‘Happy New Year’ and spoke the last 30 seconds of the almost seven minute message. Her beige suit matches the color of Naruhito’s tie.
‘I pray wholeheartedly that this year will be as soft a year as possible for all of you. “This winter was snowier than usual in some areas earlier, and therefore everyone has to stay healthy,” Masako said.
The video message was the first from Naruhito. His father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, did two after the tsunami disaster in northeastern Japan in 2011 and when he announced his abdication in 2016.
The emperor has no political power in Japan, but has symbolic meaning for many people. Even Naruhito’s grandfather, Hirohito, during the war season, was seen as a gentle man who loved nature in the post-war years.