The Emperor of Japan, Naruhito, expressed this Thursday, during the traditional New Year speech, hope that 2025 will be a peaceful year and expressed concern for the victims of natural disasters.
Naruhito, his wife, Empress Masako, and other members of the Japanese imperial family greeted thousands of people on one of the balconies of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
“I hope this year will be a peaceful and good year,” said the emperor. “I wish happiness to the people of our country and around the world”he added.
“I am concerned about the many people who continue to live a life of hardship,” Naruhito further noted, referring to the earthquake that struck the Noto peninsula in central Japan on January 1, 2024, and other natural disasters in the country, like the heavy rains of September.
At least six dead in floods and landslides in Japan
In 2024, this event was canceled due to more than 500 fatalities from the earthquake on the Noto peninsulawhere there are still displaced people and the families are in the process of recognizing another 200 victims.
The emperor and empress visited the affected people on the Noto peninsula three times during the year.
In Japan, the emperor has no political power, but has symbolic meaning.
Source: https://observador.pt/2025/01/02/imperador-naruhito-do-japao-espera-que-2025-seja-ano-de-paz/
