Akihito quotes

Akihito is the former Emperor of Japan, serving as the country's monarch from 1989 to 2019. His reign marked a period of modernization and compassion in the Japanese imperial family. He continues to be respected for his efforts to bring the monarchy closer to the people. Here are 5 of his quotes:

On visiting India this time, because of my previous visit, I did have a certain amount of knowledge about the country, but I also felt that there was much greater interest in Japan and deeper interaction between the two countries now than the last time I was there.

Akihito

After the war, Japan was occupied by the allied forces, and based on peace and democracy as values to be upheld, established the Constitution of Japan, undertook various reforms and built the foundation of Japan that we know today. I have profound gratitude for the efforts made by the Japanese people at the time who helped reconstruct and improve the country devastated by the war. I also feel that we must not forget the help extended to us in those days by Americans with an understanding of Japan and Japanese culture. Today, more than sixty years since the end of the war, we have seen that, in the face of major disasters such as the Great East Japan Earthquake [March 11, 2011], there are so many people in Japan who value the bonds between people, can deal with various situations calmly, and work hard towards reconstruction. I have found this most reassuring.

Akihito

I am marrying her because I love her.

Akihito

The Japanese keenly learned from Western civilisation in a bid to modernize and preserve the nation.

Akihito