Empress Masako turned 61 on Monday, with thoughts of people affected by disasters, including the massive Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake weighing on her mind.
"The beginning of this year was deeply painful" with the Noto Peninsula earthquake, Empress Masako said in a written comment released by the Imperial Household Agency that saw her express her condolences to disaster victims in Noto and other areas.
The Empress visited the Noto region with Emperor Naruhito in March and again in April. The empress has fond memories of visits with her friends to Noto when she was a student.
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