His Majesty the Emperor's New Year Thoughts

2001 New Year Greeting by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Now we have entered the 21st century. In the new year, I would like to continue to reflect on what we lived through in the 20th century.

Our country at present has numerous tasks such as the measures to cope with the aging of the society or to bring about economic recovery, and I can well imagine that people's daily lives are beset with many difficulties. I believe that, by surmounting these difficulties, we can construct a society more sound and spiritually rich. It is my hope that each and every one of our people will cherish their mutual ties and will help one another, striving toward a better future for all.

I also count on our people to cooperate with all the peoples of other countries to grapple with and solve global problems such as peace and the environment.

I pray that this will be a happy year for our people and for all the people of the world.