Celebrating 65 Years of Emperor Naruhito's Life and Commitment to Japan

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His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito has turned 65 years old. May His Majesty's years ahead be filled with health, wisdom, and continued devotion to the people.

In the six years since his enthronement, His Majesty has remained close to the people, always thinking of them. He traveled three times in 2024 to the areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake, encouraging the residents.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to the Emperor.

*Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress attend the public celebration of His Majesty the Emperor’s 65th birthday, held at the Imperial Palace, February 23 (©Sankei by Hideyuki Matsui).*

Honoring the Fallen

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. In a press conference preceding his birthday, His Majesty mourned the many lives lost in the war. "I wish to once again turn my thoughts to those who perished across various regions and to those who endured great hardships," he stated.

True to his words, His Majesty will embark on a journey of remembrance with Empress Masako this year. The Imperial Household Agency is coordinating plans for official visits to Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. All were sites of fierce battles and the atomic bombings inflicted on the Japanese people.

His Majesty will make his first official visit to Mongolia as Emperor in July. While the visit is primarily for goodwill, consideration is being given to honoring Japanese detainees who were held there after the war.

Following the war, approximately 14,000 Japanese soldiers detained by the former Soviet Union were sent to Mongolia, which was under Soviet influence. Approximately 2,000 are said to have perished there. During his visit to Mongolia as Crown Prince in 2007, His Majesty laid flowers at a monument dedicated to these Japanese detainees.

*The Emperor and Empress discuss the dendrobium orchids displayed during a palace event on February 13, 2025, at the Imperial Palace (Courtesy of the Imperial Household Agency).*

Many remains still lie in Siberia and Mongolia. As Japan marks the 80th anniversary of the war's end, the significance of His Majesty offering prayers as the symbol and head of state is profound.

Continuing a Legacy

During his reign, in 1995, the Emperor Emeritus embarked on a remembrance journey with the Empress Emerita, visiting Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Okinawa. For the 60th anniversary of the war's end in 2005, they traveled to Saipan. And in 2015, for the 70th anniversary, they offered flowers at a memorial on Peleliu Island in Palau.

Whether visiting disaster-stricken areas or undertaking remembrance journeys, Emperor Naruhito is steadfastly carrying on the legacy of the Emperor Emeritus.

Future of the Imperial Line

This year will also see the coming-of-age ceremony of Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and second in line to the throne. Marking his first step as an adult member of the Imperial Family, during this ceremony, he will take part in the Kakan-no-Gi. As part of this ceremony, Prince Hisahito will receive a crown from His Majesty the Emperor.

The Japanese imperial lineage has remained unbroken from the first Emperor, Jinmu, to the current 126th Emperor. This tradition will continue into the future. On this auspicious day, we reflect with pride on the world's oldest continuing monarchy.

Regarding questions on stable imperial succession, His Majesty acknowledged the declining number of Imperial Family members. He described it as "a matter also related to the future of the Imperial Household." However, he refrained from commenting on specific measures.

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun

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