Summary:  

Empress Masako celebrated her 61st birthday on December 9. On this occasion, the Imperial Household Agency released Empress Masako’s thoughts on various things that occurred this year. She wrote of the Noto Peninsula earthquake that occurred on New Year's Day, saying that her heart was filled with a sense of foreboding as she thought of the many people facing such a great ordeal.  

She also wrote of her daughter, Princess Aiko, who works at the Japanese Red Cross Society and fulfills her official duties as a member of the Imperial Family.  

Empress Masako said that she hopes that Princess Aiko will continue to take care of her health and work hard to fulfill her duties as a member of the Imperial Family while gaining a variety of experiences as a member of society. 

She also wrote about herself, saying that she will work hard to fulfill her duties to the best of her ability. 

An English translation of the full text is presented below (the original Japanese text was released by the Imperial Household Agency).   

Main text:  

Empress Masako's thoughts on her 61st birthday in 2024  

This year, the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on New Year's Day claimed many lives, and many people were affected, making for a heartbreaking beginning to the year.  

The Noto Peninsula is a beautiful region that retains a strong sense of Japan's original scenery and traditional culture, but it is also a region that is suffering from aging, population decline, and depopulation.  

Under these social and geographical circumstances, the earthquake caused major damage, including the severing of roads and long-lasting water shortages.  

It is easy to imagine how much difficulty and hardship the people affected by the disaster must have faced while living in evacuation shelters in the bitter cold of winter.  

I myself visited the Noto Peninsula when I was a student on a trip with friends, and it was a place full of happy, precious memories. Since the residents in the area were facing such a great ordeal, my heart was filled with a sense of foreboding.  

From March to April, when the situation had calmed down a little, I visited the disaster areas in the peninsula to offer my sympathies.  

I sincerely hoped that the recovery would progress step by step, so that the day would come as soon as possible when the people affected by the disaster would be able to live their lives with peace of mind.  

However, I was also deeply saddened to learn that damage had been caused by heavy rain in late September while the recovery and reconstruction were progressing.  

Unfortunately, this year there were also heavy rain and typhoon damage in other parts of the country, as well.   

I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people who lost their lives in the disasters in various places, including the Noto Peninsula, and their bereaved families.   

I would also like to convey my heartfelt sympathy to the people who were affected by the disasters and think of the hardships they have endured.   

At the same time, I would like to express my deep respect and gratitude to the many people involved in rescue and relief activities, support for the people affected by the disasters, and recovery and reconstruction work, despite the difficult circumstances.  

When we look at the world, there have been many natural disasters this year, including damage caused by heavy rain, wildfires, and severe droughts, which are thought to be related to global warming, occurring in various places.  

I feel that the sense of urgency regarding global environmental issues such as climate change, is increasing year by year, and I feel that this is one of the issues that we must seriously tackle while cooperating with each other.   

I met with the leaders at a tea ceremony held on the occasion of the 10th Pacific Islands Summit in July, and I learned about the various serious problems that are occurring in the Pacific island countries due to rising sea levels.  

I also learned about the issue of plastic waste, which is becoming a topic of increasing international debate, from the people I met at the Global Environment Action International Conference 2024.  

Through these meetings, I was reminded of the seriousness of these issues.  

Next January will mark one year since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and 30 years since the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.  

I think it is important to remember the scale of the damage caused at the time and to mourn the victims, as well as to think about and prepare for support for those affected and disaster prevention and mitigation in the future.  

Looking outside Japan, I feel deep sadness at the thought that, over the past year, 

many people, including children, have lost their lives in wars and conflicts around the world.  

I feel the importance of people continuing to engage in dialogue in order to 

build a tolerant society and a peaceful world where different values can be respected.  

In Japan, there are many people who are facing difficulties due to various circumstances, including the economic situation caused by rising prices. I am concerned about the welfare of these people.  

In June this year, I had the honor of visiting the United Kingdom as a state guest with Emperor Naruhito.  

King Charles III, while still recovering from illness, greeted us warmly, and together with the Queen, gave us a warm and cordial welcome, including a welcome ceremony at Horse Guards, a carriage parade, a luncheon and a dinner at Buckingham Palace, and so on.  

It was also a pleasure to renew old friendships with the royal family, including the King and Queen.  

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have stayed in the UK, and 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the King and Queen once again.  

During my stay in the UK, I had the opportunity to meet and talk with people of all ages who have been involved in various forms of exchanges between Japan and the UK.  

Through these conversations, I was able to see how the friendly relations between the two countries have deepened through the exchange of many people, and I was also able to feel the warm feelings that the British people have towards Japan.  

I was very happy to see this.  

It was also a special opportunity for me to visit the University of Oxford again, a place I had not been to for 34 years, and I was deeply moved by the experience. 

I was very happy to be warmly welcomed by the University of Oxford’s Chancellor Lord Patten, his wife, and the heads of the colleges with which I had connections during my time as a student, as well as by the people who had looked after me at the time.  

It was also a great honor for me to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the university, which Emperor Naruhito had also received in the past.  

Chancellor Patten conducted the award ceremony with a solemn yet warm atmosphere, and I am deeply grateful for his thoughtfulness.   

We were delighted to be guided through the nostalgic interiors of various colleges by their respective heads.  

Walking through the University of Oxford, where the unchanging weight of history could be deeply felt, made for a truly memorable stay.  

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone involved in both Japan and the UK who helped to organize our visit to the UK.  

In Japan, I visited four prefectures for official business, and in addition to being able to attend events in each prefecture, I was also able to experience the local nature, climate, history and culture.   

I was very grateful to be warmly welcomed by so many people at each place I visited.  

At the Paris Olympics and Paralympics held this summer, the Japanese athletes showed great skill and talent.  

I was impressed by the way each athlete approached the competition with all the strength they had cultivated, and in the team events, the sense of unity and the bonds between the athletes made a lasting impression on me.  

In addition, Ohtani Shohei of the US Major League Baseball recorded 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to achieve a “50 (home runs) - 50 (stolen bases)” record in a season.   

He also won the MVP award for the third time.  

The achievements of other Japanese players were also remarkable.  

I think the way these young people are opening up new worlds through their daily efforts in various fields gave many Japanese people a sense of hope and courage.  

This year, the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, or Nihon Hidankyo, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This also made a strong impression on me.  

Next year, we will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.  

As I think about the pain and suffering of the atomic bomb survivors and the hardships of those who have continued their activities over the years, I am reminded of the importance of people around the world working together to build a peaceful world through mutual understanding.  

In the Imperial Family, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Princess Yuriko of Mikasa last month.   

Prince and Princess Mikasa have watched over us warmly for many years.  

In 1993, after it was announced that I had become engaged to the Crown Prince, 

I visited the Mikasa residence to pay my respects, and I remember how warmly the Prince and Princess received me.  

I also remember with fondness the many ways in which they have always been kind to us, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude and my heartfelt condolences.  

I would like to express my gratitude to Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko for the warm way in which they have watched over us and our daughter Aiko, and for the guidance they have given us.  

I was worried about the Empress Emerita when she broke her leg this autumn.  

As I have heard that the operation was a success and that she is now working on her rehabilitation, I am somewhat relieved. I hope that the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita will continue to take good care of themselves.  

I sincerely pray that Empress Emerita Michiko will make a full recovery.  

My daughter Aiko graduated from Gakushuin University in March and began working as a contract employee for the Japanese Red Cross Society in April.  

Time flies, and the other day she turned 23.  

We feel deeply how the years pass.  

At her workplace, she has been warmly guided by those around her, and it is heartening to see her working diligently while finding fulfillment in her responsibilities.  

In March of this year, she visited Mie and Nara prefectures upon her graduation from university, and in October, she undertook her first solo official duty, traveling to Saga Prefecture for the National Sports Festival.  

Aiko and we are truly grateful and delighted that Aiko was warmly welcomed by so many people in each place.  

I hope that Aiko will continue to take care of her health while gaining diverse experiences as a member of society, and striving to fulfill her duties as a member of the Imperial Family.  

We would be most grateful if everyone would continue to warmly watch over her.  

I am grateful to the many people who have supported me this year, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again for the 

warm feelings the people have always shown me.  

I sincerely hope that the coming year will be one in which the people of Japan and the world can move forward with bright hopes. While continuing to pray for the happiness of everyone, I will strive to fulfill my duties to the best of my ability.