٠٠:٠٢:٤٦Mandatory Credit: Imperial Household Agency
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako addressed the public in a televised video message that was released by the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, on Thursday.
They started by wishing everyone a happy yew year and then proceeded to discuss the hardships Japan has faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the fallout of which is still ongoing.
"Over the past year, we have faced various difficulties and challenges due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, an unknown virus on a scale that most of us living in this era have never experienced. I wonder how sad the families of all over the world and in Japan have died and lost their loved ones," the emperor said.
This is the first time the Japanese Emperor and Empress addressed the general public in a video message. This year's Imperial Family greetings at the Imperial Palace for the new year were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The family also expressed their gratitude for healthcare and essential workers who worked hard to save lives while also expressing condolonces for those who have lost their loved ones to the pandemic.
Japan: Emperor and Empress give New Year's address in video message
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako addressed the public in a televised video message that was released by the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, on Thursday.
They started by wishing everyone a happy yew year and then proceeded to discuss the hardships Japan has faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the fallout of which is still ongoing.
"Over the past year, we have faced various difficulties and challenges due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, an unknown virus on a scale that most of us living in this era have never experienced. I wonder how sad the families of all over the world and in Japan have died and lost their loved ones," the emperor said.
This is the first time the Japanese Emperor and Empress addressed the general public in a video message. This year's Imperial Family greetings at the Imperial Palace for the new year were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The family also expressed their gratitude for healthcare and essential workers who worked hard to save lives while also expressing condolonces for those who have lost their loved ones to the pandemic.
Mandatory Credit: Imperial Household Agency
Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako addressed the public in a televised video message that was released by the Imperial Household Agency in Tokyo, on Thursday.
They started by wishing everyone a happy yew year and then proceeded to discuss the hardships Japan has faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the fallout of which is still ongoing.
"Over the past year, we have faced various difficulties and challenges due to the spread of the novel coronavirus, an unknown virus on a scale that most of us living in this era have never experienced. I wonder how sad the families of all over the world and in Japan have died and lost their loved ones," the emperor said.
This is the first time the Japanese Emperor and Empress addressed the general public in a video message. This year's Imperial Family greetings at the Imperial Palace for the new year were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The family also expressed their gratitude for healthcare and essential workers who worked hard to save lives while also expressing condolonces for those who have lost their loved ones to the pandemic.