Emperor Akihito Turns 84, Wishing to Fulfill Duties on Throne

December 23, 2017

Tokyo- Speaking to journalists before he turned 84 on Saturday, Japan's Emperor Akihito expressed his wish to fulfill his duties until the planned abdication in April 2019.

"I wish to prepare for the transfer (of the Chrysanthemum Throne) to the next generation with people involved, while fulfilling duties as the nation's symbol in my remaining days (as Emperor)," the Emperor aid at a press conference held at the Imperial Palace.

"I'm deeply grateful that many people thought (about my abdication) from their respective standpoints and made efforts," he said, offering his impressions for the first time since his abdication date was formally set this month for April 30, 2019.

His 57-year-old eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito, will assume the throne the following day, in the first succession from a living Emperor in 200 years in Japan.

Looking back at events over the past year, Emperor Akihito mentioned his first visit to Vietnam for a week from late February with Empress Michiko. Warmly welcomed there, "I profoundly thought about the close relationship" between Japan and Vietnam, he said.

On their way home from Vietnam, the Imperial couple stopped in Thailand to express condolences for former Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away last year.

"I said a final goodbye and remembered our long history of exchanges," the Emperor said.

In October, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko visited Asakura in Fukuoka Prefecture and Hita in Oita Prefecture, the areas of the Kyushu region in southwestern Japan that were severely damaged by torrential rains in July.

The sight of destroyed houses from inside a car "made me feel awed by the forces of nature," the Emperor said.

On the Imperial couple's trip to three islands in Kagoshima Prefecture, southwestern Japan, in November, Emperor Akihito said, "I felt encouraged after I saw people who nurture their traditions and live their lives making the most of nature there."

The Emperor congratulated Princess Mako, the 26-year-old first grandchild for the Imperial couple, on her informal engagement to her college sweetheart, Kei Komuro, also 26.

"I'm very delighted. I wish for their happiness," he said.

The Emperor closed the 15-minute press conference by wishing the entire nation a good year next year. Jiji Press