Tokyo: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito offered prayers for those who died during the pandemic, while greetings people on the eve of New Year on Saturday.
He shared the video as pubic gathering events have been cancelled to curb coronavirus infections.
Sitting before a bonsai tree with his wife Masako, Naruhito praised and thanked doctors and other health care workers. He also expressed concern for countries lacking access to vaccines and adequate hospital systems.
The emperor does not have political power but he carries symbolic significance for Japan and is fairly popular. Naruhito’s father abdicated in 2019. Hirohito, the wartime emperor, was Naruhito’s grandfather.
Meanwhile, Japan has recorded over 18,000 COVID-19-related deaths, but the pace of deaths has fallen in recent months.