By AKIKO TADA/ Staff Writer
December 9, 2023 at 15:06 JST
Empress Masako marked her 60th birthday on Dec. 9, saying she wants to move forward with new feelings.
Masako responded in writing to questions from reporters about the milestone and expressed surprise at having reached an age celebrated in Japan as “kanreki,” or one’s 60th birthday.
“I want to lead my future life by taking the first step with new feelings and making further efforts,” Masako wrote.
She also expressed concern about deepening divisions and confrontation around the world brought on by wars and military conflicts. But she also touched upon the many young people continuing with activities to improve society and said she was “often encouraged” by such actions.
She added that the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami of 2011, along with the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, were “realities that had to be accepted with huge shock and deep sadness.”
Masako wrote that she wanted to continue visiting areas affected by natural disasters as a way of remaining close to the victims and to pray for true reconstruction for those areas.
She said that Princess Aiko, her only child, has become a big help to both her and Emperor Naruhito. Aiko recently turned 22 and is a senior at Gakushuin University in Tokyo.
A team of doctors treating Masako’s adjustment disorder released a statement on the state of her health.
They noted that the empress has continued with her activities while making various efforts to maintain her health, but said she was still on the path to recovery and thus required sufficient rest since there were still ups and down in her physical condition.
Hideaki Kobayashi, who accompanied Naruhito and Masako on a December 2002 trip to New Zealand and Australia when they were still crown prince and crown princess, recalled that Masako was able to interact with locals without the need of an interpreter.
Kobayashi then served as head chamberlain for the crown prince’s household. His recollection is not surprising as Masako studied at both Harvard and Oxford universities and was a career diplomat before marrying Naruhito in 1993.
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Empress Masako, who turned 60 on Dec. 9 (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)
