Japan's Empress Masako marked her 57th birthday on Wednesday.

In a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency, the Empress said this year has reminded her of the importance and value of human life. She said it has been painful to see the level of devastation caused around the world by the coronavirus pandemic.

The mother of a Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea 43 years ago is celebrating her daughter's birthday, wishing for her return.

Yokota Megumi was snatched in 1977 on her way home from junior high school. She was 13 years old.

Emperor Naruhito is now 60 years old.

Ahead of the Sunday occasion, the Emperor expressed his thoughts to the media. It was his first news conference since he ascended the throne last May.

Japan's Imperial Household Agency has canceled Emperor Naruhito's greetings to the public on his birthday on February 23 due to the new coronavirus outbreak.

The occasion would have marked the emperor's first birthday greeting since he ascended to the throne last May.

The family of a Japanese woman who was abducted by North Korea decades ago has celebrated her 60th birthday without her.

Keiko Arimoto was 23 when she was abducted in 1983 while traveling in Europe after completing a study program in London.