Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Wajima City, on December 17. 

In this area, the river overflowed after record-breaking heavy rains in September, washing away four houses and killing four people, including a third grader in junior high school. 

The imperial couple inspected the site where driftwood and household items from the washed away houses remain and bowed deeply.

They then visited Wajima Junior High School, where 51 people are still evacuated.

S/ Emperor Naruhito: Please take care of yourself.

In Wajima, 11 people were killed by the torrential rains, and 256 people are still living as evacuees.

The Emperor spoke to a woman whose house was completely destroyed by the Noto Peninsula earthquake and whose temporary housing was flooded by the torrential rains, saying, “It must have been very hard for you.”

The Emperor and Empress also met with Self Defense Force officers and firefighters who were involved in rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the torrential rains, and asked them questions such as, “What was difficult for you?”