His Majesty the Emperor's New Year Thoughts

2008

Last year, there were earthquakes in Ishikawa Prefecture and Niigata Prefecture, and my sympathies go out to those affected who are facing hardships as they live through the harsh winter in those regions. Although there were fewer natural disasters such as heavy rains, it was regrettable that a number of incidents came to light undermining the people's sense of security in their daily lives.

It is my hope that the new year will bring happiness to each and every one of you, and that efforts will continue to be made to build a society in which people all over the world can live in mutual trust.