Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito at a news conference at the Imperial Palace on Feb. 20 (Koichi Ueda)

Emperor Naruhito turned 65 on Feb. 23, vowing to reaffirm his commitment to peace with the approaching 80th anniversary since the end of World War II.

Naruhito also pledged to think more deeply about those who sacrificed their lives in the war as well as the countless others who endured great hardships during and after the conflict.

He made the comments at a news conference held at the Imperial Palace ahead of his birthday.

Referring to the rapidly dwindling war generation, the emperor noted that it is “important for their distressing experiences and history to be conveyed” to younger generations.

He added that it is “all the more significant” for those without firsthand knowledge of the war to listen to survivors’ experiences and recount them to others around the country as “storytellers.”

His parents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, won the people’s hearts with their tireless efforts to console the souls of the war dead while Akihito was on the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Naruhito said he listened to their wartime experiences as well as their wishes for peace on many occasions.

He vowed “to make further efforts to fulfill his responsibilities,” following in his father’s footsteps. This was in reference to the postwar Constitution, which stipulates that the emperor “shall be the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people.”

Last year, Nihon Hidankyo (Japan Federation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations), which represents survivors of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Touching on that honor, Naruhito said, “I have a renewed sense of the importance of trying to understand, and cooperating with, each other to build a peaceful world.”

The emperor was also asked about scathing online posts about imperial family members.

Cautioning that he was speaking in general terms, Naruhito said, “It is necessary to always keep in mind that when expressing opinions about someone else, one could at times hurt that person’s heart and position.”

Princess Aiko, 23, the only child of Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, has been working at the Japanese Red Cross Society since last spring.

Naruhito said he “feels very happy to gain a glimpse of (Aiko) growing as a member of society one step at a time.”

Prince Hisahito, 18, the only son of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, will begin studying at Tsukuba University in April.

Naruhito said he expects his nephew, second in line to the throne, to “lead a productive student life.”

On Feb. 23, a national holiday, Naruhito, accompanied by Masako and Aiko, as well as Fumihito, Kiko and Princess Kako, their daughter, greeted well-wishers on the balcony of the Chowa-den hall at the Imperial Palace.

(This article was written by Yuko Kawasaki and Ayako Nakada.)

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