TOKYO: Japanese Emperor Naruhito turned 60 years old on Sunday, renewing his resolve to fulfill his duties of the Constitution-defined role as the symbol of the state.

"I will always think about the people, stay by their side and make further efforts to serve as the symbol of the country," the Emperor told a press conference held at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo's Minato Ward ahead of his first birthday in the new Japanese era of Reiwa, which started along with his enthronement on May 1 last year. He met the press for the first time as the Emperor.

He recalled that the "Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi" and "Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi" enthronement-related ceremonies on May 1 made him think of his grave responsibilities as the new Emperor and had a sobering effect on him.

Some 10 months after that day, "I'm feeling the importance of each and every official duty," he said.

Asked about his thoughts on the Constitution, the Emperor said, "I will abide by the Constitution and sincerely fulfill my duties as the symbol."

Touching on changes of the times, such as global warming and the spread of artificial intelligence technologies and smartphones, the Emperor offered his view about the roles of the Imperial Family in the new era.

"It is important that we find duties that correspond to changes in society and take actions," he said.

The Emperor said the Imperial Family can contemplate such challenges as poverty and disaster prevention by approaching them from the aspect of water issues, which he has tackled as his lifetime work.

"I hope to utilize the knowledge that I acquired through my work to address water issues," he said.

Noting that Empress Masako, who has been receiving treatment, could attend all of the enthronement-related events and ceremonies, the Emperor said, "I and Masako are both very happy."

Meanwhile, the Emperor also said, "I hope that she does what she can do one by one without pushing herself too hard."

On their only daughter, Aiko, who will enter the Department of Japanese Language and Literature at Gakushuin University in April as she wished, he said, "I hope that she will spend a fulfilling college life."

The Emperor expressed his gratitude for Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko many times and voiced concerns about possible burdens on them before and after they move to a new place by the end of March.

"I hope that they will live healthily for a long time," the Emperor said.

JIJI Press