TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed gratitude to medical professionals and acknowledged the difficulties caused by coronavirus in a New Year’s message broadcast by the video, instead of the usual public speech in front of large crowds in the palace .
The emperor and his wife, Empress Masako, were sitting next to each other, next to a bonsai plant carved in the video.
Naruhito expressed “deep respect and gratitude” to the doctors and nurses who treat patients with COVID-19 and offered empathy to those who lost loved ones, lost their jobs or struggled with loneliness. .
“In the last year, we have all faced many problems and difficulties in spreading this unknown coronavirus, which for most of us living in this age we have never experienced on such a scale,” he said.
He also said he was concerned about discrimination against those who were ill or worked in the medical field, a widespread phenomenon in conformist Japan.
“I look forward to meeting everyone again, face to face,” he said after offering his prayers for world peace.
Japan has had more than 3,000 deaths due to COVID-19. Concerns are mounting over a further rise in cases, reaching a daily record of 1,337 new infections in the capital Tokyo on Thursday.
The Imperial Palace in downtown Tokyo opens to the public every New Year’s Day, and crowds on the ground encourage the appearance of the imperial family.
Imperial Household said last month that a video message would be released due to the pandemic. The higher expectation in Japan was towards whether Masako would appear. She tended to be reclusive, suffering from what has been described as a stress-related condition, but has appeared in several public events in recent years.
Masako said “Happy Birthday” at the beginning of the message and spoke for the last 30 seconds of the message for almost seven minutes. Her beige suit matched the color of Naruhito’s tie.
“I sincerely pray that this year will be as mild a year as possible for all of you. This winter has been harsh, with heavy snow in some areas earlier than usual, and so please stay healthy, ”said Masako.
The video message was Naruhito’s first. His father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, made 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 he has symbolic significance for many people. Even Naruhito’s grandfather, Hirohito, the wartime emperor, was seen as a gentle man who loved nature in the postwar years.