Japanese Emperor Naruhito has expressed concern over the enduring emotional scars of survivors from the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster, in remarks released ahead of his 66th birthday on Monday. The comments come just weeks before the March 11 anniversary of the catastrophe.
“While recovery of infrastructure has made progress, I feel that reconstruction of livelihoods and community still needs to be addressed,” Naruhito said in remarks made last week. “As I think of those who lost their loved ones and had to cope with complete change of their living environment, I feel their scars have not healed yet ... they stay despite the passage of time.”
The 2011 disaster killed nearly 20,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands, and caused meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Although most evacuated areas have reopened, few residents have returned due to a lack of jobs and community ties.
Naruhito stressed the importance of passing lessons from past disasters to younger generations and preparing for future events. He pledged to remain close to the people, share their joys and sorrows, and listen to those in affected areas. He also expressed hope that his daughter, Princess Aiko, would continue her work in international peacekeeping and follow in his footsteps by preserving history for younger generations.
Aiko, 24, is the only child of Naruhito and Empress Masako but cannot ascend the throne under Japan's male-only succession rule. She would lose her royal status if she marries a commoner, a rule supported by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
