(Photographed on October 4; photo courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency) 

Empress Emerita celebrated her 90th birthday on October 20. 2 weeks before her birthday, She suffered a fall and underwent surgery on October 8 for a fracture in the upper part of her right femur. She was discharged from the hospital a week ago and is diligently continuing her rehabilitation each day. At a concert held in July to celebrate her 90th year, She expressed her gratitude for the heartfelt performances of her friends and took delight in the growth of her grandchildren, Princess Aiko, who graduated from university, and Prince Hisahito, who has reached adulthood.

Following is the translation of a text report released to the media by the Imperial Household Agency, on Empress Emerita's recent status and thoughts. 

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This year, Empress Emerita reaches the age of 90. Despite advancing in age, She has continued to lead a peaceful life with Emperor Emeritus, carefully attending to her health.  

However, on the evening of October 6, she fell inside the Sentō Imperial Residence, experiencing pain in her right leg. The following day, she underwent an examination at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fracture in the upper part of her right femur. She underwent surgery on the morning of October 8 at the same hospital, which was successfully completed, and she was discharged on October 13. Her Majesty is now undergoing rehabilitation daily at the Sentō Imperial Residence. 

Until her hospitalization, She had been spending quiet and orderly days with His Majesty as usual. Reflecting on their journeys around Japan during the Shōwa and Heisei eras, which spanned twice across the nation, Her Majesty has maintained a deep interest in social events and the lives of people, always hoping for the betterment of the world together with Emperor Emeritus. 

This year, on New Year’s Day, a powerful earthquake, registering a maximum intensity of 7 on the seismic scale, struck the Noto Peninsula. Both were deeply concerned about the affected regions, and every time they watched news reports on the disaster through newspapers or television, they expressed great sorrow. 

Furthermore, in September, just as the recovery efforts were progressing in the disaster-stricken area, the Noto region was hit again, this time by record-breaking heavy rains, resulting in significant damage.
They became even more concerned about the situation and have continued to deepen their thoughts and prayers for the victims.  

Apart from medical examinations and checkups, Their first public appearance outside the Sentō Imperial Residence this year was on April 9, when they paid their respects at the 110th anniversary of the death of Empress Dowager Shōken at Meiji Shrine. In July, a music concert was held at the Music Hall Tōkagakudō in the Imperial Palace to celebrate the 90th birthdays of both. Six musicians, long-time acquaintances of Their Majesties, graciously agreed to perform despite their busy schedules. They offered heartfelt words of celebration and played classical and jazz pieces.  The two, who had previously performed together in informal gatherings with some of these musicians, expressed their deep gratitude for the heartfelt performances, which created a warm and pleasant atmosphere in the venue.  

Empress Emeritus has maintained close relationships with people involved in children’s literature, English poetry recitation, and music, and these connections have enriched her serene post-abdication life. One of Her long-time friends, children’s literature author and translator Matsuoka Kyoko, passed away two years ago. Her book Children and Books, which Her Majesty had kept on her desk for many years, continues to be re-read by Her Majesty. 

Last autumn, four pianists, all personal acquaintances of Her and active internationally, invited her to attend their performances, and she visited each of their concerts.  

In May of this year, Their Majesties attended a concert commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of composer Dan Ikuma, who composed the "Celebration March" for Their Majesties’ wedding.  

In July, Empress Emerita listened to the choral piece A Bouquet of Prayers, composed by the late Otaka Atsutada, who had previously set to music Furitsumu, a poem recited by Empress Emerita.This work was composed in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the couple's wedding and was performed at a concert in Yokohama.  

When Werner Hink, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and violinist with whom Empress Emerita had frequently performed at the Kusatsu Summer International Music Academy & Festival, passed away in May, She expressed her gratitude for his guidance and conveyed her condolences to his family. Her Majesty continues to value her relationships with people through music. 

In May of this year, Empress Emerita accompanied Emperor Emeritus on a visit to the former Tamozawa Imperial Villa and Lake Yunoko in Oku-Nikko, where Emperor Emeritus had been evacuated during the war. This visit was initially planned in 2015, marking the 70th anniversary of the end of the war, as part of a journey to reflect on the war; however, it had been postponed due to the heavy rains and other reasons at the time. The visit was finally realized this year. Throughout the trip, Empress Emerita listened attentively to Emperor Emeritus, who reflected on the war and his experiences of evacuation and remained closely by his side. 

During the summer, Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita spent time resting together at the Nasu Imperial Villa and at Ōhinata in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. As they had done the previous year, they visited the Heisei-no-mori Forest in Nasu and met with twenty local farmers they had visited during Emperor Emerita’s reign. In Ōhinata, they visited the stone monument engraved with a poem by Emperor Shōwa about this area and strolled through the wide cabbage fields, reflecting on the hardships endured by the settlers of the Manchurian-Mongolian farming colonies during and after the war. 

This year, Princess Aiko graduated from university, and Prince Hisahito reached the age of adulthood, both milestones that brought Empress Emerita great joy. Together with Emperor Emerita, she has quietly observed the activities of the Imperial Family, including those of the Emperor and Empress.  

In particular, Empress Emerita has maintained a deep bond with Princess Yuriko, the widow of Prince Mikasa, who turned 101 this year, regularly inquiring about her well-being through Dr. Nagai, the Imperial Household’s chief medical officer. Before her injury, she enjoyed walking with Emperor Emeritus in the mornings and evenings, appreciating the seasonal changes of the flowers and trees in the garden, as well as the birds and insects that visit the grounds. Her attendants have mentioned that Empress Emeritus cherished the time spent conversing with His Majesty about the nearby nature and seemed to derive great pleasure from it.  

She has also continued the practice of reading aloud with Emperor Emeritus after breakfast, and they are currently reading War and Okinawa by Ikemiyagi Hidei, a book selected by Emperor Emeritus. 

As always, Empress Emerita has been attentive to the health and well-being of Emperor Emeritus, but in recent times, Emperor Emeritus has been increasingly concerned about her physical condition, frequently asking, “Are you all right?” The birthday celebrations will proceed, as outlined in the separate document, in the same simple manner as last year.

Empress Emerita will receive congratulations from the Emperor and Empress, other members of the Imperial Family, former Imperial Family members and relatives, as well as the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency, representatives of the staff, senior officials, and former officials.