TOKYO (AP) – Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed his gratitude to medical professionals and acknowledged the difficulties caused by the coronavirus in a video-shared New Year’s Day message instead of the usual public speech in front of crowds at the palace.
The emperor and his wife Empress Masako sat next to each other, next to a bonsai plant carved in the video.
Naruhito expressed his “deep respect and gratitude” to the doctors and nurses who treated patients with COVID-19 and offered empathy to those who lost loved ones, lost their jobs or struggled with loneliness.
“Over the past year, we have all faced many problems and difficulties with the spread of this unknown coronavirus that for most of us living in this era we have never experienced on this scale,” he said.
He also said he was concerned about the discrimination suffered by those who had been ill or worked in the medical field, a widespread phenomenon in conformist Japan.
“I sincerely hope to be able to reconnect with all of you, face to face,” he said, after offering his prayers for world peace.
Japan has had more than 3,000 deaths from COVID-19. Concerns are growing over a new rise in cases, reaching a daily record of 1,337 new infections in the capital Tokyo on Thursday.
The Imperial Palace in central Tokyo is open to the public every New Year’s Day, and crowds on the grounds encourage the appearance of the imperial family.
The Imperial Household agency said a video message will be released last month due to the pandemic. The biggest expectation in Japan had been focused on whether Masako would show up. She has tended to be reclusive, suffering from what has been described as a stress-related condition, but has appeared at more public events in recent years.
Masako said “Happy New Year” at the beginning of the message and spoke for the past 30 seconds of the nearly seven-minute message. Her beige dress matched the color of Naruhito’s tie.
“I am praying from the bottom of my heart that this year is as smooth a year as possible for all of you. This winter has been hard with some heavy snowfall in some areas earlier than usual and therefore please everyone 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 a symbolic importance to many people. Even Naruhito’s grandfather, Hirohito, the emperor of war, was seen as a kind man who loved nature in the post-war years.