TOKYO: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako voiced their hopes for 2021 in a video message released on Friday, New Year’s Day, at a time when the world is still struggling to contain the novel coronavirus.

The Emperor said he sincerely wishes that 2021 will be a year in which people can spend their time with hopes, adding that he prays for peace of mind and happiness for the people of Japan and the rest of the globe, and for world peace.

The Empress said she hopes that 2021 will be a peaceful year, noting that many people faced great difficulties in the past year.

The Emperor’s father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, released two video messages to the public while he was on throne — one in the immediate aftermath of the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, which hit the Tohoku northeastern Japan region particularly hard, and the other in August 2016, in which he expressed his wish to step down as Emperor due to his old age.

It was the first time for Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne in May 2019, to issue a video message to the public. According to the Imperial Household Agency, it was also the first time for Empress Masako to be in such a video message.

In the video, Emperor Naruhito noted that the coronavirus has claimed numerous lives in and outside of Japan, and conveyed his condolences to those who lost their loved ones.

“In the past year, many people on the globe faced various difficulties and ordeals as the mysterious virus spread on an unprecedented scale,” he said.

The Emperor expressed his deep respect and gratitude for doctors, nurses and other medical people on the ground who are working dedicatedly day and night to save a number of lives from the virus.

At the same time, he voiced concerns that the burdens on medical workers are increasing further as the virus continues to spread.

He also spoke of his sympathy for people in need who have lost their jobs or homes due to the coronavirus fallout, as well as his concerns over discrimination and prejudice against people infected with the virus, their family members and medical workers.

Meanwhile, Emperor Naruhito said he is encouraged by people who are working to help those in tough situations.

Noting that the human race has overcome numerous terrible pandemics and large-scale natural disasters in the past with solidarity and patience, Emperor Naruhito said he earnestly hopes that people, at this difficult time, will move ahead by taking care of, helping and supporting each other while holding onto unshakable hopes for the future and believing that the days in which they can live in peace will surely come in the not-too-distant future.

Emperor Naruhito said that since his enthronement, he and other members of the Imperial Family have hoped to communicated with as many people as possible.

The Emperor added that he looks forward to being able to meet face-to-face with members of the public again after the coronavirus epidemic dies down.

The video message was released as a substitute for Emperor Naruhito’s speech during Imperial Family members’ New Year’s greeting to the public at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward, which had been scheduled for Saturday but was canceled due to the continuing spread of the coronavirus.

The greeting event joined by the Imperial Family is held on Jan. 2 every year.

The video was also used in place of the Emperor’s written New Year’s address.

JIJI Press