In a New Year's message released on January 1 through the Imperial Internal Affairs Agency, Emperor Naruhito expressed hope for world peace as 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
The emperor emphasized the importance of "all people recognizing the difference and joining hands to build a peaceful world". He affirmed that Japan's peace and prosperity today are the result of the tireless efforts of many generations since the war.
In addition, Emperor Naruhito expressed deep pain at the losses caused by conflicts and wars around the world.
He also paid special attention to the hardships that the Japanese people have experienced in 2024, including natural disasters and rising living costs. In particular, he mentioned the strong earthquake on January 1, 2024 on the Noto peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, which caused serious damage.
I hope that everyone can overcome the challenges this year by caring for and supporting each other, the Emperor shared.
On New Year's Day, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the New Year's celebration at the Tokyo Imperial Palace.
The following day, the King and Queen, along with members of the royal family, including cardinal Akihito and cardinal Michiko, attended a New Year's Eve event with the public.
In 2025, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are expected to visit Kobe to attend the 30th anniversary of the devastating 1995 earthquake.
In addition, the Emperor and Empress plan to visit Hiroshima and Okinawa Prefectures to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II.
