The Empress pledged to keep up her work with the Emperor "for the happiness of the people" in a statement released on her 56th birthday on Monday.
In her first such statement as Empress, she expressed her gratitude for the congratulations she has received since the Imperial succession.
The Empress said she was "relieved and happy" that she was able to attend all of the ceremonies related to the Emperor's accession to the throne.
The Empress said she encountered many happy faces as she met with people in various parts of the country. "[These faces] will remain as precious memories in my heart. As I progress step-by-step, I believe [these memories] will be a huge support for me."
The Empress offered condolences to the families of victims of recent natural disasters including Typhoon No. 19 and expressed her concerns about the well-being of survivors.
The Empress also mentioned the "incredibly regrettable" death of Tetsu Nakamura, a doctor involved in humanitarian work in Afghanistan who was killed in the country last week. She expressed her hope that "a world in which people can live in peace" would be realized.
The statement also included mentions of some of the good things that have happened this year, including the outstanding performances of the Brave Blossoms at the Rugby World Cup and the awarding of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Akira Yoshino, an honorary fellow at Asahi Kasei Corp.
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