Japanese Emperor Naruhito gave his first public birthday address since ascending the throne almost four years ago, after delays due to the COVID outbreak, and urged support for people struggling with inflation and the pandemic
Public birthday appearances by the emperor are an annual tradition but the event had been suspended from 2020 due to the pandemic.for the first time since the COVID outbreak as the country eases restrictions and returns to normal practices.
Naruhito was joined by his wife, Empress Masako, his daughter Aiko, 21, and his brother Crown Prince Akishino and his wife and daughter, all of whom wore white masks. Public attendees were limited to fewer than 5,000 individuals chosen from more than 60,000 applicants, according to the Imperial Household Agency, which manages the imperial family's lives. Before the pandemic, the appearances were open to anybody.
"I feel very happy to have my birthday celebrated before the public for the first time," Naruhito said.Reporting by Elaine Lies and Junko Fujita in Tokyo; Editing by Edmund Klamann
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