Japanese Emperor Marks 66th Birthday With Thoughts on 2011 Disaster Victims

Emperor Naruhito of Japan used his 66th birthday remarks to highlight ongoing struggles faced by survivors of the devastating 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster. The emperor emphasized that while physical infrastructure has been rebuilt, communities and individual lives are still healing from the tragedy that claimed nearly 20,000 lives.

TOKYO – On his 66th birthday Monday, Japan’s Emperor Naruhito shared his continued worries about those still recovering from the catastrophic 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, with the disaster’s anniversary approaching next month.

In birthday statements released last week, the emperor noted that while physical rebuilding efforts have advanced significantly, deeper healing remains incomplete. “While recovery of infrastructure has made progress, I feel that reconstruction of livelihoods and community still needs to be addressed,” Naruhito said in the 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 emperor appeared alongside Empress Masako, their daughter Princess Aiko, and Crown Prince Akishino’s family on the imperial palace balcony, greeting enthusiastic crowds who gathered with Japanese flags to celebrate the occasion.

The devastating March 2011 natural disasters and subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant meltdowns resulted in almost 20,000 deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Although most radiation-affected areas have been declared safe for habitation, relatively few former residents have chosen to return due to limited employment opportunities and fractured community bonds.

The nation will also commemorate another tragic milestone this April – a decade since the Kumamoto earthquake claimed close to 300 lives.

During his birthday remarks, Naruhito emphasized the importance of passing disaster preparedness knowledge to future generations while remaining ready for potential future emergencies. The emperor committed to maintaining close connections with citizens, sharing in both their celebrations and hardships, and continuing to hear from those in disaster-impacted regions while hoping for a future free from such tragedies.

Regarding his daughter’s future role, Naruhito expressed his desire for Princess Aiko to carry forward historical awareness to younger people. “We have raised Aiko hoping she will be a fine person as a human being and a royal member,” he said. “And I have a strong wish for her to continue to exert her strength and be active in international peacekeeping.”

Princess Aiko, now 24 and the couple’s sole child, faces restrictions under Japan’s succession laws that prevent her from inheriting the throne. Current regulations require her to abandon royal status if she chooses to marry outside the imperial family, rules that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi continues to support and strengthen.