Japan emperor, empress to visit areas hit by Typhoon Hagibis

November 19, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are considering a trip late next month to Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures that were hit hard by Typhoon Hagibis and subsequent heavy rain, the Imperial Household Agency said Tuesday.

If realized, it will be the Imperial couple's first visit to a disaster-hit area since the Emperor ascended the throne on May 1, following in the footsteps of his parents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, who made a series of such visits while the Emperor Emeritus was on the throne.

According to the agency, the Emperor and Empress were saddened after seeing many people were killed or affected by the typhoon, and have hoped that they will visit the disaster areas as soon as possible.

Due to the serious damage from the typhoon, the "Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi" parade to celebrate the Emperor's enthronement was postponed to Nov. 10 from Oct. 22.

The Emperor mentioned the damage caused by the typhoon and other disasters that recently hit the country in a speech delivered during a national festival held on Nov. 9 at a square in front of the Imperial Palace to celebrate his accession.

"I'm concerned that there are many people who were forced to evacuate and are facing difficulty in rebuilding their lives, amid dropping temperatures," the Emperor said in the speech.

"I hope that the reconstruction process will progress and those affected by the disasters will be able to return to living a life with a sense of security, as soon as possible," he said.

Both the Emperor and Empress have been especially concerned about Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which were all devastated in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, ever since they were crown prince and crown princess.

After the 2011 disaster, the Imperial couple have visited the three prefectures nine times to meet with affected people. Jiji Press