Empress Masako, on the occasion of her 57th birthday on Wednesday, expressed her desire to overcome the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic together with the Japanese people, saying they are "invaluable" people and wishes for their happiness.
The empress, who has long been battling a stress-induced illness, said this year has reminded her of the importance and value of human life amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, adding it has been painful to see the level of devastation caused around the world.
"I hope we can cooperate to overcome these hardships" through understanding, caring and lending a helping hand to one another, she said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency.