Emperor Akihito on Monday celebrated his 80th birthday, becoming the second emperor to have passed this milestone while on the throne, following his father, Emperor Showa. The Emperor, who ascended to the throne on Jan. 7, 1989, has been trying to be true to the spirit of the war-renouncing Constitution and to be with people in both joy and hardship. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to him and pray that he will be blessed with good health and longevity.

At a news conference on Dec. 18, the Emperor expressed his deep thought about war and peace. Asked to tell any events that have left special impression on him, he said at the very beginning, "I would say that what stands out most in my mind is the Second World War." Now that the memories of war are rapidly disappearing, it is all the more important for Japanese to deeply think about the message the Emperor tried to convey — especially so for Diet members, the prime minister and his Cabinet members, most of whom have not experienced war but who have the power to influence the fundamental direction of Japan.

Rightfully the Emperor mentioned not only the war that started with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 8, 1941, but also Japan's war in China, which began in the 1930s. It should be remembered that Japan's undeclared war of aggression in China with no clear purposes declared led to its reckless and devastating war with the United States, Britain and the Netherlands.