Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako chat in front of Wajima-nuri kaishi boxes used in the New Year Poetry Reading event. Also pictured are a Suzu-yaki kiln-changed jar and a Wajima-nuri sunken gold decorative tray, representing traditional handcrafts of the disaster-affected Noto region. The photo was taken on Feb. 9 at the Imperial Palace and made available for the emperor's 64th birthday on Feb. 23. (Provided by the Imperial Household Agency)

Emperor Naruhito, who turned 64 on Feb. 23, expressed his condolences to victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake and his intention to visit the affected areas.

At a news conference held at the Imperial Palace ahead of his birthday, Naruhito said he was “deeply distressed” by the fact that so many people died or remain missing in the disaster zone.

He also expressed concerns about the prolonged evacuations of residents in Ishikawa Prefecture.

“I sincerely hope that with the support of many people, restoration and reconstruction will proceed smoothly,” the emperor said.

He expressed his desire to visit the quake-hit areas with Empress Masako if it becomes possible.

Citing the rising cost of living and other factors, he voiced concerns for needy families, disabled people and other socially vulnerable groups. He also expressed his gratitude to those who are doing their best to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

“I hope that people will support each other with consideration for each other and overcome their difficult circumstances,” he said.

He also shared his thoughts about his family. He described Masako as “an important person who supports my daily activities” and is “a good adviser.”

Their daughter, Princess Aiko, will graduate from Gakushuin University in March and begin working for the Japanese Red Cross Society as a part-time employee in April.

Naruhito speculated that Aiko “came to have a strong desire to contribute to society, even if only a little,” based on what she had seen and heard about the activities of her parents and the Japanese Red Cross.

“I hope that she will continue to make efforts to be of service and that she will continue to grow,” he said.

This May will mark five years since Naruhito’s accession to the throne.

He said that while visiting various places with Masako, he has tried to have a wide range of opportunities to meet with the people so that he can get a sense of their situations and feelings. These experiences also provide indications on what the imperial family should do, he said.

Naruhito said he would like to continue visiting various places in the future with this in mind.

On the occasion of his birthday, photos were distributed of the imperial couple with traditional crafts from the Noto region, including two “kaishi” boxes.

The Wajima-nuri lacquerware boxes have been used as containers for the kaishi papers on which the couple’s poems are written during the New Year Poetry Reading event, known as Utakai Hajime.

Behind Naruhito in one photo was a Suzu-yaki kiln-changed jar. And behind Masako, a Wajima-nuri sunken gold decorative tray was displayed.

Both items chosen by Naruhito and Masako after their discussions, their entourages said.

They had each visited the Noto region when they were students, and they talked about the hard-hit Wajima and Suzu cities in Ishikawa Prefecture, according to the entourages.

“While gaining the strength of young people to carry on traditional skills, it is also important to support the preservation and succession of traditional culture that has been handed down for a long time,” Naruhito said at the news conference.

(This article was written by Akiko Tada and Ryota Goto.)

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