Opinion of the Doctors to the Imperial Household on the Occasion of the Birthday of Her Majesty the Empress

December 9,2020

Her Majesty the Empress is continuing with treatment, based on the fundamental opinions that were also explained last year by the doctors to the Imperial Household.

Although there were fewer opportunities to attend events this year due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Her Majesty nonetheless continued her activities, attending various occasions, the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading) and the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) in January, as well as conducting Imperial sericulture for the first time, and also attending ceremonies relating to the Rikkoshi-no-rei, including the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi (Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince) and the Rikkoshi-Choken-no-gi (First Audience following the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince), with giving due consideration to measures to prevent the spread of infection. Her Majesty also attended ritual ceremonies at the Kashikodokoro on five occasions. Furthermore, Her Majesty received 16 lectures and audiences in regard to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and has been deeply concerned about the various hardships being faced by the people of Japan.

In addition, as mother to Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko, who has entered Gakushuin University and is busily engaged daily in online learning in new academic areas, Her Majesty is warmly watching over and supporting Her Imperial Highness’s activities.

While Her Majesty’s activities have been limited due to COVID-19, which has made it more difficult to maintain her health, Her Majesty has made efforts to continue her activities, taking various measures to look after her health. As the doctors to the Imperial Household responsible for Her Majesty’s treatment, we believe such activities to be desirable as they give Her Majesty greater confidence.

However, as has repeatedly been explained, Her Majesty’s recovery is still only partial and she remains subject to ups and downs. It is for this reason that after major events, or after consecutive events, fatigue may remain for some time. It should be understood that any excessive expectations could be counterproductive to Her Majesty’s future recovery. As has been explained previously on this point, we believe it to be important for Her Majesty to expand the scope of her private activities too, although this may be difficult currently, given the current spread of the novel coronavirus.

It is important for Her Majesty to continue her treatment while receiving the understanding and support of those around her, and we ask that you continue to watch over her recovery with warmth and affection.