Empress Masako receives birthday messages

Japan's Empress masako turned 61 years old on December 9th Empress masako attended ritual ceremonies at the Imperial Palace where she received congratulatory messages from other Imperial family members Crown Prince akishino and Crown Princess Kiko and their daughter princess kako were there to celebrate Empress masako in the evening prince hisahito who reached adulthood at age 18 in September also visited the Empress to give her birthday greetings for the first time on his own empress masako and Emperor Narito paid a visit to Emperor Emeritus akahito and Empress emerita Mito to greet them marking the empress's birthday Empress masako also wrote that she hopes the year 2025 will be full of bright hope for the people of Japan and the world she said she will strive to fulfill her duties as she continues to pray for the happiness of the people of Japan