Japanese Emperor Akihito made an unprecedented televised address to the nation on Wednesday, expressing hope that the Japanese people will lend each other a helping hand to overcome the challenges.
“I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the disaster-hit areas,” the 77-year-old emperor said, according to Kyodo News. “I sincerely hope that people will overcome this unfortunate time by engendering a sense of caring for other people.”
Akihito said that the nuclear crisis, centered around Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, was unpredictable after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami he described as “unprecedented in scale.”
Akihito added that he was “greatly moved by the braveness of the survivors who are encouraging themselves in trying to live on through this enormous disaster.”
“I hope that those affected by the earthquake will not give up hope, and strive to survive while taking care of their health,” he added.
The emperor expressed gratitude toward the relief efforts made by the country’s Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard, as well as firefighters, police, and rescue teams from home and abroad.
Reuters noted that Akihito’s unexpected address resonates with the first radio broadcast made on Aug. 15, 1945 by his father, Emperor Hirohito, which announced the island nation’s surrender in World War II.
The Imperial Household Agency said that Akihito and Empress Michiko have sent relief money to the severely devastated Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures, according to Kyodo News.
As the nation faces power shortage, the imperial couple voluntarily cut electricity at their residence in Tokyo for two hours a day. They want to share the hardship faced by the Japanese people around the greater Tokyo area, who are part of Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s power rationing measure.
“I am deeply hurt by the grievous situation in the disaster-hit areas,” the 77-year-old emperor said, according to Kyodo News. “I sincerely hope that people will overcome this unfortunate time by engendering a sense of caring for other people.”
Akihito said that the nuclear crisis, centered around Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, was unpredictable after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami he described as “unprecedented in scale.”
Akihito added that he was “greatly moved by the braveness of the survivors who are encouraging themselves in trying to live on through this enormous disaster.”
“I hope that those affected by the earthquake will not give up hope, and strive to survive while taking care of their health,” he added.
The emperor expressed gratitude toward the relief efforts made by the country’s Self-Defense Forces and the Japan Coast Guard, as well as firefighters, police, and rescue teams from home and abroad.
Reuters noted that Akihito’s unexpected address resonates with the first radio broadcast made on Aug. 15, 1945 by his father, Emperor Hirohito, which announced the island nation’s surrender in World War II.
The Imperial Household Agency said that Akihito and Empress Michiko have sent relief money to the severely devastated Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures, according to Kyodo News.
As the nation faces power shortage, the imperial couple voluntarily cut electricity at their residence in Tokyo for two hours a day. They want to share the hardship faced by the Japanese people around the greater Tokyo area, who are part of Tokyo Electric Power Co.’s power rationing measure.
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