Japanese Emperor Naruhito on Thursday gave his first public birthday address since ascending the throne almost four years ago, after delays due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and urged support for people struggling with inflation and the pandemic.
"Many people are having difficulties in their daily life amid the pandemic and rising prices," Naruhito said, according to a transcript of a news conference released on his birthday, hours before he stood on a palace balcony to accept cheers and well-wishes from thousands of citizens assembled on the grounds below.
