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.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have sent online messages of encouragement to the elderly in Tokyo and the southwestern prefecture of Oita.
The Emperor and Empress were at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday. They watched a group in Oita Prefecture helping the elderly maintain good health conditions and also monitored senior citizens at a human resources center in Tokyo.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have made online inspections of Japanese Red Cross Society hospitals dealing with coronavirus patients.
At the Akasaka Palace on Wednesday, they listened to an explanation by the president of the Red Cross Society and others.
Japan's Empress Emerita Michiko turned 86 on Tuesday.
She and her husband, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, have been living at a temporary residence in Tokyo since late March. They have refrained from going out or accepting guests amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have watched an online conference about risk management for water-related disasters amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Imperial couple viewed the meeting from their Akasaka residence in Tokyo on Thursday. The Emperor has been researching global water issues for many years.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako have been briefed about relief efforts for people in need affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Imperial couple has been receiving expert briefings on various areas as the impact of the spread of infections continues.
Buckingham Palace says Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will pay a state visit to the United Kingdom in the spring.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the palace says the Emperor and Empress accepted an invitation by Queen Elizabeth and that the couple will stay at Windsor Castle.