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Japan Emperor Wishes for Peaceful Year for Disaster-Affected People

Japan Emperor Wishes for Peaceful Year for Disaster-Affected People

Emperor Naruhito delivers his New Year's address to the public at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.
Emperor Naruhito delivers his New Year's address to the public at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Thursday.

   Tokyo, Jan. 2 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Emperor Naruhito expressed his wish on Thursday for a peaceful year for people affected by disasters, including a powerful earthquake that struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula a year ago.
   "I'm concerned about the suffering of many people who are still living a difficult life," the Emperor said in his New Year's address to a crowd of people gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
   "I know that there will be many difficult things, but I hope that this year will be a peaceful and good year for everyone," he said.
   The Emperor made the speech during his New Year greeting to the public when he appeared on the balcony of the palace along with Empress Masako and other members of the Imperial Family, including Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko.
   The New Year's greeting event was canceled last year because of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit the Noto Peninsula on Jan. 1, 2024.

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