Crown Prince Naruhito, on the occasion of his 59th birthday on Saturday, expressed his resolve to fulfill his new role as emperor after acceding the throne on May 1, saying he will follow the path shown by his parents.
"I would like to pursue my duties as the symbol (of the state) by always being beside the Japanese citizens, and sharing joy and sorrow with the people," he said at his last press conference as crown prince, held before his birthday.
The crown prince also expressed his readiness to explore new possibilities while carrying on the legacy of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, saying, "I would like to pursue what is required of the imperial family in accordance with the changing times."
Looking back at his years since becoming first-in-line to the throne upon the death of his grandfather Emperor Hirohito and Emperor Akihito's accession in 1989, the crown prince said he has been seeking to interact with the people.
"I have been trying to have various exchanges with the people ... so I can properly sense what the imperial family should do for them," he said Thursday, adding he wishes to maintain such a principle as a "pillar" of his activities in the future.
The 85-year-old emperor hinted at his desire to abdicate in a rare video message that went on air in August 2016, citing concern that his age and weakening health may one day stop him from fulfilling the duties of the "symbol of the state," as stated in Japan's postwar Constitution.
In June 2017, Japan enacted one-off legislation enabling the emperor to step down. The abdication date was later set as April 30 this year, to be followed by Crown Prince Naruhito's succession the following day.
The crown prince said what he had heard from his parents over the years would serve as "major guideposts" in performing his official duties as the new emperor. The duties are expected to expand from the current level as they had been streamlined in recent years to alleviate the burden on the aging emperor.
Asked by reporters about his opinion on the future of the imperial family, the crown prince said he would stick to the basic principle of staying with the people while adjusting to the times, a statement he has repeatedly made in the past.
The crown prince also admitted that the imperial family faces issues including the aging and declining number of its members, with females giving up their royal status upon marrying commoners as stipulated by the law, but he declined to comment on how the system should be.
Crown Princess Masako, who has long been receiving treatment for adjustment disorder, is "recovering steadily," the crown prince said, while expressing hope that people will understand she "will not become capable of performing everything overnight."
The crown prince said he believes in the future, "there will be work only she can perform" as a former career diplomat who spent her childhood in Moscow and New York.
The 55-year-old crown princess has performed many official duties in recent years and was often seen smiling on those occasions.
"As the empress has supported the emperor by his side, Crown Princess Masako's smiles have been the source of motivation for the crown prince," said a close aide.
Photo chronology of major events related to Crown Prince Naruhito
