Saturday marked the second anniversary of the Emperor's accession to the throne.
In sharp contrast to the Emperor's first year on the throne when enthronement ceremonies lifted the mood of the nation, the second year saw his activities as the symbol of the state largely constrained due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, during which the Imperial couple has been connecting with members of the public online.
Tokimitsu Yano, a 74-year-old resident of Ashikita, Kumamoto Prefecture, who was affected by torrential rains in the Kyushu region last July, spoke with the Imperial couple online in January this year. "I could feel the warmth in their hearts," Yano recalled.
During the meeting, Yano had a photograph of his wife, who was killed in the rains. "I can imagine how much you miss her," the Emperor said to him. The Empress also offered words of consolation, saying: "I saw [the photo of] your wife. Please take care of yourself."
"It made me feel like working hard again," Yano said, explaining that their words lifted his spirits and helped him to return to work in the farming and forestry industry.
Since last November, the Emperor and Empress have conducted virtual visits to facilities and disaster-stricken areas. Even during online interactions, they wear masks, which can make it difficult for participants to see their facial expressions on computer screens, but their eyes are expressive.
Participants have spoken fondly about their positive impressions after virtual meetings. "Their eyes showed their concern for people in the medical field," Yukio Honma, head of the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. Fukushima Gov. Masao Uchibori echoed a similar view. "Their eyes were gentle. Residents in disaster-affected areas sincerely appreciated the consideration shown towards them," he said
At a press conference in February, the Emperor said online meetings "allowed me to feel connections with people firsthand." Virtual events are likely to continue to be an effective means of exchange amid the pandemic.
Major junctures will punctuate the Emperor's third year on the throne. As honorary president of the Tokyo Games, the Emperor is scheduled to attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in July and August.
The refurbishment of the Imperial residence, where the Emperor Emeritus lived with the Empress Emerita when he was on the throne, is expected to be completed by the end of May. And Princess Aiko, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress and a sophomore at Gakushuin University, will begin official activities as an adult member of the Imperial family when she turns 20 on Dec. 1.
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