Addresses by His Majesty the Emperor (2026)

Distinguished Guests,

　It gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity to join you today, as the 41st World Veterinary Association Congress is convened here in Tokyo, bringing together veterinarians and experts of various fields from many countries and regions around the world. I am also delighted that, since the World Veterinary Congress was held in Japan in 1995 for the first time in Asia, it is now being held here again after 31 years.

　In our society, which is supported in many ways by the presence of animals, veterinarians are facing the lives of animals every day and have dedicated themselves as professionals to protect their health and welfare. In addition, extending beyond the clinical care of animals, veterinarians have long played vital roles across a wide range of fields through their advanced scientific and professional expertise and its practical application. I would like to express my deep respect for the dedication and contributions that veterinarians have made to society.

　My family has shared our lives with various animals, including three rescued dogs and four rescued cats that we have cared for. We have received much joy and comfort from them, and each of these lives has always been something irreplaceable to us. In protecting the health and well-being of these animals, we are deeply grateful to veterinarians and to the staff of the animal hospital, who have constantly provided devoted care for them. Through this, we have a deep feeling of appreciation for the work of veterinarians who strive to protect the health and save the lives of animals.

　In recent years, the concept of “One Health,” which views human health, animal health, and the soundness of the environment as an integrated whole, has been attracting increasing attention both in Japan and internationally. It has come to my understanding that under this concept, veterinarians are expected more to address zoonotic diseases, implement measures for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in livestock, ensure food safety, promote public health through the prudent use of antimicrobial agents, and undertake a wide range of other responsibilities. These include the monitoring of wildlife health and the rescue and care of animals in times of disaster. These practices of One Health, carried out in cooperation with professionals in various fields, including medicine and environmental science, contribute to reducing risks to society as a whole, and their significance is growing ever greater beyond the boundaries of nations and academic disciplines.

　In conclusion, I sincerely hope that this Congress will serve as a valuable opportunity for veterinarians and experts of different fields from around the world to share knowledge, deepen cooperation, and open new paths toward the future. I also trust that it will contribute to the realization of a society in which humans and animals can live together in harmony, and to a better future for the world.

Thank you very much.

I wish to extend a heartfelt welcome to Your Excellency Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Republic of the Philippines, and the First Lady, Mrs. Louise Araneta-Marcos, on the occasion of your State Visit to Japan. It gives me great pleasure to be able to spend this evening together with you here.

This year, Japan and the Philippines mark a milestone: the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between our two countries. There have been times in the past when our relationship has faced arduous time, but ever since Japan began to make its way as a peace-loving nation following the Second World War, our many predecessors have invested sustained effort in cultivating mutual understanding and trust. Our countries’ shared history in the aftermath of the War was not without its complications, but since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1956, Japan and the Philippines have moved forward hand in hand, strengthening our relationship one step at a time to establish the firm friendship we enjoy today. In the course of that journey, Your Excellency’s parents, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and the former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, made State Visits to Japan on two occasions, in 1966 and 1977.

In 2016, on the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, my parents, Their Majesties the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, visited the Philippines as Japan’s incumbent Emperor and Empress. They told me that wherever they went, they were warmly welcomed by your country’s citizens, and their interactions with people undertaking Japanese language training to become nurses or caregivers in Japan convinced them that the relationship between our two nations had developed significantly over the preceding 50 years or more. I am mindful that our bilateral relationship today is underpinned by the tireless and dedicated efforts of many individuals, and it is my heartfelt wish that our mutual relationship of trust will continue to grow ever stronger.

Japan and the Philippines have further cemented these bonds of trust by helping each other in times of difficulty. I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our profound gratitude for the monetary donations, relief supplies, and other assistance we received from your country when Japan suffered major natural disasters such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake. When the Philippines was struck by an earthquake off the coast of Cebu Island followed by typhoons last year, I was greatly saddened to hear that many precious lives were lost. I sincerely hope that the affected areas will recover as soon as possible.

Looking back at my own connection to the Philippines, the first time I travelled overseas was a trip to Australia in 1974, and on the outbound journey, the plane stopped at Manila International Airport to refuel, making the Philippines the first foreign country in which I set foot. I understand that the first time Your Excellency visited Japan was when you accompanied your mother, the former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, to the Japan World Exposition held in Osaka in 1970. And, having learned that President Marcos and First Lady also visited last year’s Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, I am very pleased that President Marcos have helped to forge a closer relationship between our two nations by attending expos held in Japan on two separate occasions.

The first time I myself met Your Excellency President Marcos and First Lady Mrs. Araneta-Marcos was in February 2023 together with the Empress in the Imperial Palace. President Marcos and I have both studied at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. I was treated with great kindness by students from the Philippines during my time at Oxford and I well remember making close Filipino friends. I also remember vividly how, when I spoke with President Marcos, the conversation blossomed when we reminisced about our experiences in those days, including mutual friends and our daily lives in Oxford.

The theme of this year’s 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations is “Weaving the Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, Possibilities.” I understand that in recent years the relationship between Japan and the Philippines has expanded not only in political, economic, and cultural fields but also in science and technology, disaster management, and in other fields that offer potential for new forms of prosperity. I am told that in aerospace-related sectors especially, this has led to increasingly tangible outcomes. These include cooperation among the relevant agencies in both countries to develop and launch satellites, and use of Japan’s technologies related to aerospace and satellite data analysis to reduce disaster risk and facilitate rapid disaster response in the Philippines. Given that Japan and the Philippines are close neighbors connected by the sea, I look forward to continuing our close interaction to weave a peaceful future filled with possibilities and prosper together.

Japan is now enjoying the beauty of its green season. I sincerely hope that your visit to my country will serve to further advance the mutual understanding and friendship between our two nations. I would now like to propose a toast to the good health of Your Excellency President Marcos and First Lady Mrs. Araneta-Marcos, and to the prosperity of the Republic of the Philippines and the happiness of its people.

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Your Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of the Kingdom of Norway,
Prime Minister Takaichi,
Your Excellencies,
Dr.Yohei Sasakawa,
Distinguished Guests and Participants,

It gives me great pleasure to be here today to attend the opening of the Island States Ocean Summit together with all of you.

Japan, as an island nation, has from ancient times reaped the rich blessings of the ocean. As we witness rising sea levels due to global warming and a series of disasters caused by extreme weather around the world, I am deeply reminded of the importance of maintaining the delicate balance on Earth through the grand water cycle, where water is brought in from the sea and returns to the sea.

I myself have for many years been interested in water issues, including safe drinking water, sanitation, water transport, climate change and water-related natural disasters, which are deeply intertwined with national and global challenges. I have always hoped that discussions on these issues would be deepened further around the world.

It is my understanding that the purpose of this summit is to promote, through collaboration between private organizations, governments, and international organizations, national-level plans in island nations that aim to achieve both marine environment conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

I would like to express my sincere respect to all of you gathered here and to the participating nations, as you cooperate in sharing your collective wisdom and experience, and, by building upon the latest science while at the same time preserving traditions, endeavor to address global issues through international cooperation.

To be mindful of the ocean and to work for its sound future is, in essence, nothing less than to safeguard our own future. As we face in our times many challenges, including rising sea levels, it is my earnest hope that a sense of solidarity among us will bring harmony and hope to the world.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all.