皇后陛下お誕生日に際し（平成25年）
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/okotoba/01/kaiken/gokaito-h25sk.html
- 問1 東日本大震災は発生から2年半が過ぎましたが，なお課題は山積です。一方で，皇族が出席されたIOC総会で2020年夏季五輪・パラリンピックの東京開催が決まるなど明るい出来事がありました。皇后さまにとってのこの1年，印象に残った出来事やご感想をお聞かせ下さい。
皇后陛下この10月で，東日本大震災から既に2年7か月以上になりますが，避難者は今も28万人を超えており，被災された方々のその後の日々を案じています。
7月には，福島第一原発原子炉建屋の爆発の折，現場で指揮に当たった吉田元所長が亡くなりました。その死を悼むとともに，今も作業現場で働く人々の安全を祈っています。大震災とその後の日々が，次第に過去として遠ざかっていく中，どこまでも被災した地域の人々に寄り添う気持ちを持ち続けなければと思っています。
今年は10月に入り，ようやく朝夕に涼しさを感じるようになりました。夏が異常に長く，暑く，又，かつてなかった程の激しい豪雨や突風，日本ではこれまで稀な現象であった竜巻等が各地で発生し，時に人命を奪い，人々の生活に予想もしなかった不便や損害をもたらすという悲しい出来事が相次いで起こりました。この回答を準備している今も，台風26号が北上し，伊豆大島に死者，行方不明者多数が出ており，深く案じています。世界の各地でも異常気象による災害が多く，この元にあるといわれている地球温暖化の問題を，今までにも増して強く認識させられた1年でした。
5月の憲法記念日をはさみ，今年は憲法をめぐり，例年に増して盛んな論議が取り交わされていたように感じます。主に新聞紙上でこうした論議に触れながら，かつて，あきる野市の五日市を訪れた時，郷土館で見せて頂いた「五日市憲法草案」のことをしきりに思い出しておりました。明治憲法の公布（明治22年）に先立ち，地域の小学校の教員，地主や農民が，寄り合い，討議を重ねて書き上げた民間の憲法草案で，基本的人権の尊重や教育の自由の保障及び教育を受ける義務，法の下の平等，更に言論の自由，信教の自由など，204条が書かれており，地方自治権等についても記されています。当時これに類する民間の憲法草案が，日本各地の少なくとも40数か所で作られていたと聞きましたが，近代日本の黎明期に生きた人々の，政治参加への強い意欲や，自国の未来にかけた熱い願いに触れ，深い感銘を覚えたことでした。長い鎖国を経た19世紀末の日本で，市井の人々の間に既に育っていた民権意識を記録するものとして，世界でも珍しい文化遺産ではないかと思います。
オリンピック，パラリンピックの東京開催の決定は，当日早朝の中継放送で知りました。関係者の大きな努力が報われ，東京が7年後の開催地と決まった今，その成功を心から願っています。
世界のあちこちで今年も内戦やテロにより，多くの人が生命を失い，又，傷つけられました。取り分けアルジェリアで，武装勢力により「日揮」の関係者が殺害された事件は，大きな衝撃でした。国内では戦後の復興期，成長期に造られた建造物の多くに老朽化が進んでいるということで，事故につながる可能性のあることを非常に心配しています。
この1年も多くの親しい方たちが亡くなりました。阪神淡路大震災の時の日本看護協会会長・見藤隆子さん，暮しの手帖を創刊された大橋鎮子さん，日本における女性の人権の尊重を新憲法に反映させたベアテ・ゴードンさん，映像の世界で大きな貢献をされた高野悦子さん等，私の少し前を歩いておられた方々を失い，改めてその御生涯と，生き抜かれた時代を思っています。
先の大戦中，イタリア戦線で片腕を失い，後，連邦議会上院議員として多くの米国人に敬愛された日系人ダニエル・イノウエさんや，陛下とご一緒に沖縄につき沢山のお教えを頂いた外間守善さん，芸術の世界に大きな業績を残された河竹登志夫さんや三善晃さんともお別れせねばなりませんでした。
この10月には，伊勢神宮で20年ぶりの御遷宮が行われました。何年にもわたる関係者の計り知れぬ努力により，滞りなく
遷御 になり，悦ばしく有り難いことでございました。御高齢にかかわらず，陛下の姉宮でいらっしゃる池田厚子様が，神宮祭主として前回に次ぐ2度目の御奉仕を遊ばし，その許で長女の清子も，臨時祭主としてご一緒に務めさせて頂きました。清子が祭主様をお支えするという，尊く大切なお役を果たすことが出来，今，深く安堵しております。
- 問2 今年，皇后さまはご体調が優れず，いくつかのご公務などをお取りやめになりました。天皇陛下も今年80歳を迎えられます。両陛下の現在のご体調や健康管理，ご公務や宮中祭祀に関してご負担軽減が必要との意見について，どのようにお考えでしょうか。
皇后陛下加齢と共に，四肢に痛みや痺れが出るようになり，今年，数回にわたり公務への出席を欠きました。体調の不良を公にすることは，決して本意ではありませんが，欠席の理由を説明せねばならず，そのため大勢の方に心配をかけることとなり心苦しく思っています。健康管理については，医師の意見に従い，その時々に必要な検査を受けていますが，まだ投薬などの治療を継続して受ける段階のものはなく，これからもしばらくは，今までとあまり変わりなく過ごしていけるのではないでしょうか。
質問にあった宮中祭祀のことですが，最近は身体的な困難から，以前のように年間全てのお祀りに出席することは出来なくなりました。せめて年始の元始祭，昭和天皇，香淳皇后の例祭を始め，年間少なくとも5，6回のお参りは務めたいと願っています。明治天皇が「昔の手ぶり」を忘れないようにと，御製で仰せになっているように，昔ながらの所作に心を込めることが，祭祀には大切ではないかと思い，だんだんと年をとっても，繰り返し大前に参らせて頂く緊張感の中で，そうした所作を体が覚えていてほしい，という気持ちがあります。
前 の御代からお受けしたものを，精一杯次の時代まで運ぶ者でありたいと願っています。
- 問3 皇太子妃雅子さまは11年ぶりに公式に外国をご訪問になりました。また，悠仁さまの小学校入学をはじめ，お孫さまたちに節目となる出来事が相次ぎました。ご家族と様々なご交流があると思いますが，皇室の一員として若い世代に期待されていることをお聞かせください。
皇后陛下皇太子妃がオランダ訪問を果たし，元気に帰国したことは，本当に喜ばしいことでした。その後も皇太子と共に被災地を訪問したり式典に出席する等，よい状態が続いていることをうれしく思っています。
孫の世代も，それぞれ成長し，眞子は大学の最高学年に進み，今では，成年皇族としての務めも行っています。こうした二つの立場を，緊張しながらも誠実に果たしている姿を，うれしく見守っています。次女の佳子は大学生になり，今年は初めての一人での海外滞在も経験しました。来年は
二十歳 になり，皇室はまた一人，若々しい成年皇族を迎えます。東宮では愛子が6年生になりました。背も随分伸び，もうじき私の背を超すでしょう。チェロ奏者の一員として，皇太子と共にオーケストラに参加したり，今年の沼津の遠泳ではやや苦手であった水泳でも努力を重ね，自分の目標を達成したことをうれしく，又，いとおしく思いました。悠仁は小学生になりました。草原を走り回る姿はまだとても幼く見えますが，年齢に応じた経験を重ね，その中で少しずつ，自分の立場を自覚していくようにという両親の願いの許で，今はのびのびと育てられています。こうした若い世代の成長に期待すると共に，私にはご高齢の三笠宮同妃両殿下が，幾たびかの御不例の折にも，その都度それを克服なさり，今もお健やかにお過ごしのことが本当に心強く，有り難いことに思われます。これからも両殿下のご健康が長く保たれ，私どもや後に続く世代の生き方を見守って頂きたいと願っています。
Press Conference on the occasion of Her Majesty's Birthday (Written Answers) (2013)
Her Majesty the Empress's Answers to Questions by the Press on the Occasion of Her Seventy-ninth Birthday 2013, and the Activities of Her Majesty the Empress over the Past Year
(Photo:Imperial Household Agency)
Her Majesty's Answers to Questions by the Press on the Occasion of Her Seventy-ninth Birthday 2013
- Question 1
Although two and a half years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, there are still many challenges that remain unresolved. However, there have been encouraging news as well, such as the selection of Tokyo to host the 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, announced at the International Olympic Committee Session, which was attended by members of the Imperial Family. Would Your Majesty tell us about Your thoughts and impressions of the last twelve months? - Answer 1
It is more than two years and seven months since the Great East Japan Earthquake this October. Yet, to this day, there are still more than 280,000 people who are living as evacuees, and I continue to think of them often and worry about how they are managing since the disaster.
In July, Mr. Masao Yoshida, who was the chief of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, passed away. He had led efforts at the site to stabilize the reactors after the Unit 1 reactor building suffered an explosion. I mourn his passing and at the same time pray for the safety of the many who are still working at the plant. Although the earthquake and the ensuing days may gradually recede into the past, I feel that it is very important for us to always keep in mind and think of the people of the affected areas.
In October, the mornings and evenings are beginning to feel cooler at last. This summer was abnormally long and hot, and in many parts of the country, we had torrential rains, sudden gusts of wind, and also tornadoes which were not so common in Japan until now. They resulted in a series of sad incidents, at times taking people's lives and causing inconvenience and damage, and affecting the lives of people in unforeseen ways. Just as I am preparing this answer, I am gravely concerned to hear that Typhoon 26 (Typhoon Wipha) is heading north, leaving many dead and many more missing on the island of Izu-Oshima. Around the world, too, abnormal weather has caused many natural disasters, and this year, more than ever, I have been made aware of the issue of global warming which is said to be the root cause of all this.
It seems to me that this year, before and after the Constitution Memorial Day in May, we saw more active discussion regarding the constitution than in previous years. As I followed the discussion, mainly in the papers, I recalled the Itsukaichi Constitution Draft, which we once saw at the Folk Museum of Itsukaichi during our visit to Itsukaichi in Akiruno City. Many years before the Meiji Constitution was promulgated in 1890, the local elementary school teachers, village heads, farmers, and other common people gathered together, and after much deliberation, drew up a private draft constitution. The constitution contains 204 articles, including those about respect for basic human rights, guarantee of freedom of education, the obligation to receive education, equality under law, as well as freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and it also mentions local autonomy. I was told that similar draft constitutions were drawn up by the people in more than 40 places across Japan at the time. I was deeply impressed by the strong desire for political participation of the people who lived at the dawn of modern Japan and their passionate hopes for the future of our country. As a document of how ordinary citizens in Japan had already developed an awareness of civil rights at the end of the 19th century, in a country which was just opening up after years of closure, I think it is a rare cultural asset in the world.
I learned of Tokyo's selection as the host city of the Olympic and Paralympic Games early in the morning on that day, via live television broadcast. Now that the efforts of those involved have paid off and Tokyo has been chosen to host the games in seven years, I sincerely wish for the success of the games.
Around the world this year, sadly once again, as in previous years, many people lost their lives or have been hurt in civil wars and acts of terrorism. In particular, the incident in Algeria where 10 associates of JGC Corporation were killed by armed insurgents was most distressing. In Japan, I have grave concerns about the structures that were constructed during our period of reconstruction and growth after the end of World War II, which are said to be deteriorating with age, and may lead to potential accidents.
Many close friends have passed away over the past year. Among them are Ms. Takako Mitou, who was chair of the Japanese Nurse Association at the time of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Shizuko Ohashi, founder of the magazine Kurashi no Techo, Ms. Beate Gordon, who incorporated respect for women's rights into Japan's new Constitution, and Ms. Etsuko Takano, who made immense contributions in the film world. Having lost these women who have walked a few steps ahead of me in life, I have been reflecting once again on their lives and the times that they lived through.
We bade farewell to Senator Daniel Inouye, American of Japanese ancestry who lost his arm when fighting on the Italian front during World War II, and later became the United States Senator from Hawaii and was loved and respected by many Americans, also to Mr. Shuzen Hokama, from whom His Majesty and I had learned much about Okinawa, to Mr. Toshio Kawatake and Akira Miyoshi, both of whom left significant marks in the world of art.
Gosengu, rebuilding and relocating the shrine buildings every twenty at Ise Shrine, was held in October. I am grateful that everything went smoothly and the sengyo ceremony of officially moving the deity was completed through the incredible efforts of so many people involved over many years. Mrs. Atsuko Ikeda, His Majesty's elder sister, in her advanced age, presided as the most Sacred Priestess for the second consecutive time, and our daughter Sayako had the honour of serving beside her as Special Priestess. Now that Sayako was able to fulfill the venerable and important role of supporting the most Sacred Priestess, I was deeply grateful and reassured.
- Question 2
Your Majesty experienced some health problems this year, requiring several official duties to be canceled. His Majesty the Emperor will be turning eighty this year. Could you tell us about the state of Your Majesties' health, how You manage and care for Your health, and Your thoughts regarding the view of the need to reduce the burden of Your Majesties' official duties and ritual ceremonies at the Imperial Palace? - Answer 2
With advancing age, I have come to experience pain and numbness in my arms and legs, and I have had to cancel my attendance at my official duties on some occasions over the past 12 months. It is certainly not my wish to make my health problems public, but explanations had to be given for my absence, and I regret that this has caused many people anxiety and concern. With regard to maintaining my health, I listen to the opinions of the doctors and get tested whenever it is deemed necessary, but at the moment none of my conditions require constant medication or other treatment. For the time being, I believe that I will be able to continue as I have without much change.
As to the ritual ceremonies mentioned in the question, physical problems prevent me these days from attending every ceremony throughout the year as I used to in the past. I am hoping that I will be able to attend at least five or six ceremonies a year, including the Genshi-sai New Year ceremony and the Annual Ceremonies of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun. Emperor Meiji said in one of his waka poems that we should not forget the "forms of yore." I, too, believe that in a ritual it is important to put all one's heart as one performs the traditional movements. I hope that, even as I gradually advance in age, my body will remember those movements as I pay my respects in the solemn atmosphere of the ritual ceremonies year after year. It is my sincere wish to do my utmost to carry forward in this era what I have received and learned from the previous reign.
- Question 3
Crown Princess Masako made her first official overseas visit in eleven years this year. This has been a year of many milestones for your grandchildren as well, including Prince Hisahito, who started elementary school. Knowing that you have various occasions to see your family, we would like to hear about Your hopes and expectations for the members of the younger generation of the Imperial family. - Answer 3
I was truly happy that the Crown Princess was able to visit the Netherlands and return home safely. I am glad to see that since the visit, she has continued to be well, visiting disaster-afflicted areas and even attending ceremonies together with the Crown Prince.
All the grandchildren are growing up. Mako, the older daughter of Prince and Princess Akishino, is in her final year of college and now performs duties as an adult member of the Imperial Family. I watch over her with joy as she anxiously yet sincerely and conscientiously handles the two roles. Kako, the younger daughter, has become a college student and experienced her first overseas stay by herself this year. As she turns twenty next year, the Imperial Family will soon be welcoming another youthful adult member. In the Crown Prince's family, Aiko is now in the sixth grade. She has grown quite tall, and I expect that she will soon be overtaking me in height. That she performed in the orchestra in the cello section with the Crown Prince, and especially that she worked hard at swimming, which was not her forte, and achieved her own goal in this year's long distance swim in Numazu, made me happy and endeared her to me. Hisahito is now in elementary school. When he is running around on the grass, he still looks very young, but it is his parents' hope that he will gradually come to understand his role as he continues to learn and experience many things appropriate for his age. For the time being, he is being brought up in a natural and carefree atmosphere.
While looking forward to the future of the young members of the Imperial Family, I am grateful and feel reassured that Prince and Princess Mikasa, who are quite advanced in age, have managed to overcome many indispositions and now continue to spend their days in sound health. It is my hope that the Prince and Princess will stay in good health for many more years to come and that Their Highnesses will watch over and guide us and the generation who come after us.
PROVISIONAL TRANSLATION
皇后陛下、おめでとうございます。