The June 8 article "A right royal celebration," by former British Ambassador to Japan Sir Hugh Cortazzi, described the Golden Jubilee celebration for Queen Elizabeth II. I was happy to read that the celebration was a great success, that the respect and affection of the British people for the queen were reaffirmed and that the British were determined to keep their monarchy. I was puzzled, however, by the comment that he added toward the end of the column that the Emperor of Japan does not have adequate opportunity to meet the Japanese people. In response, therefore, I would like to explain as objectively as possible how the Emperor now meets the people of Japan.
To begin with, the Emperor meets a large number of people at the Palace during audiences, teas and lunches. Since his accession to the throne, a new formula for some audiences was introduced. Tea is served and the Emperor mingles with the participants, talking with them freely. The people he talks with in this way range from artists and scholars to participants in U.N. peacekeeping operations and overseas disaster-relief volunteers.
The Emperor is often asked to speak at ceremonies highlighting the importance of social welfare and nature-conservation issues, or at domestic and international academic conferences. He attends a number of scientific awards ceremonies at the Japan Academy and elsewhere.