Japan’s Emperor Naruhito prays for pandemic dead in New Year message

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito offered prayers for those who died during the pandemic, taking to video for the second straight year for his New Year’s greeting on Saturday, having cancelled public palace gatherings to curb coronavirus infections.Sitting before a bonsai tree with his wife Masako, Naruhito praised and thanked doctors and other health care workers, and expressed concern for countries lacking access to vaccines and adequate hospital systems.“By treasuring more than ever the connections…

Read the original article at South China Morning Post