Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako held an online meeting with staff and users of an elderly care facility on Tsushima Island in southwestern Japan on February 13.

Staff members talked about the features of the day care facility in Nagasaki Prefecture and said they offer meals using local ingredients.

The imperial couple asked about their efforts to deal with influenza infection which has been spreading nationwide and the struggles they had during the coronavirus pandemic.

They also spoke with facility users who engaged in activities like playing table tennis.

The imperial family utilized online visits when movement restrictions were placed due to the coronavirus.

But the emperor has expressed intention to continue using the method as part of efforts to keep in touch with hard-to-reach regions of the country.