Crown Princess Masako, who turned 55 on Sunday, vowed to make her best effort to serve the people as she is set to become Empress following May's Imperial succession.
"I want to devote myself to the happiness of the people so I will make an effort to that end while gaining more experience," the Crown Princess, who has long been battling a stress-induced illness, said in a statement.
In the statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, the Crown Princess said she is "filled with deep emotions and feels nostalgic" about her birthday this year being the last one in the current Heisei era.