To coincide with her 59th birthday on Friday, the Empress has made public a document reflecting on her life in the Imperial family, among other matters.
In the document, which was uploaded to the Imperial Household Agency website, the Empress touches upon her 29-1/2 years -- exactly half her life -- as part of the Imperial family, saying she has been "deeply moved" by those years.
The Empress married the Emperor -- then Crown Prince -- on June 9, 1993. Recalling her life since, she writes: "So many things have happened. I have passed through many joys, and sometimes sorrows."